Player Focus: Daley Blind - Netherlands' Most Improved Player

There was a moment towards the end of Ajax's game at Willem II last season that would have been unimaginable eighteen months ago. The hundreds of supporters, tightly packed into a corner of the stadium, broke into song – as they had done throughout – a familiar melody with new words. "Daley Blind is een echte Ajacied".

It was confirmation the most maligned player in Frank de Boer’s side had finally won acceptance from his own public. He would eventually be named the clubs ‘player of the season’. Blind was contemplating his future around late 2010; the arrival of De Boer – who saw him as a vital cog in the Ajax machine – convinced him to stay. He’s validated De Boer’s faith through a series of consistently strong performances.

Being the son of a club legend comes with its own tribulations; though Blind has never seen his name as a curse, instead a source of motivation. His father Danny famously led Ajax to European Cup success in 1995 and can attest from his own personal experience the difficulty in winning the Amsterdam faithful over.

His arrival from Sparta Rotterdam in 1986, signed by Johan Cruyff, was met with disapproval from skipper Marco van Basten (due to not being a stellar name). It would be a while before he cemented his place at the heart of the defence. When he did the dissent that surrounded him long passed. His farewell game, and teary goodbye, was testament to his newfound status among the clubs pantheon of greats.

Blind Snr. was one of the most intelligent – and tenacious – players to wear the red-and-white. If the opposition had managed to break free of Ajax's passing carousel, before facing Edwin van der Sar, they would have to get past him. His take no prisoner mindset quickly earned him the respect of opposition players and managers alike.

Danny was also equally adept going forward, often joining attacks, for the large part of his career he played as the libero in Ajax’s 3-4-3. The one trait seemingly passed down to Daley (aside from his trademark shaggy hair) is mental toughness. "I've never doubted my own abilities," without it he wouldn't be where he is today. "Everything is better now," he said in an interview discussing the relationship, described as love-hate, with his clubs supporters.

The departure of Jan Vertonghen, who acted as a mentor to Blind last season, meant he became the most senior player in defence. It wasn't lost on De Boer who before the start of the impending campaign took Blind to one side reminding him. In the De Boer era he’s gone from being a squad player to one of the first names on the teamsheet; largely aided by Nicolai Boilesen’s absence, the Dane is now fully fit and will provide Blind stern competition.

There is however the possibility of both playing in the same eleven. Blind, according to De Boer, will eventually be converted into a ‘number six’ or controller. In their KNVB Beker tie at Groningen last season – where he spent a year on loan – De Boer switched to a 3-4-3 diamond, as a way to take control of the game, Blind seamlessly drifted into midfield playing as the anchor.

Where in the past Blind fluctuated between half-decent performances and something bordering unsatisfactory, the confidence ingrained by De Boer – who let's not forget is one of two world class left-backs Dutch football has produced – saw Blind start steadily turning 4/10 into something pushing 7/10. He kicked on last season. "The penny finally dropped," De Boer, pleased with his constant improvement, stated. It couldn't have come at a more pertinent time. Blind, who joined the club as an eight-year-old before making his professional debut 10 years later in 2008, recently signed a three-year contract extension.  "Everyone knows Ajax is my club".

One of the many academy graduates in the first eleven, Ajax DNA courses through his veins, he might not be the best left-back/defender around but knows the football De Boer wants played like the back of his hand, with added swagger, "I can play my own game."

Blind's versatility, capable of playing centrally in defence or midfield, means he's viewed as an asset. The inconsistency that dogged him coincidentally eroded once De Boer (again) altered his system. "I'm indebted to Frank de Boer," Blind would say, like most modern full-backs Blind's strength is multi-tasking: positionally disciplined, tactically versed – reads the game well – strong going forward and defensively astute (tackling, intercepting, etc).

A key element to Ajax’s attacking game is their full-backs, essentially auxiliary wingers, Blind would be stationed for large spells of games in the opposition half – consequence of playing a high line – and encouraged to cross, either from deep or the by-line; though not at the detriment of their defensive duties, because he plays for a side that dominates possession – subsequently controlling the game – he can afford his overall defensive game to be strengthened gradually.

If we just look at Ajax, two games into this new campaign, Blind is fourth highest when it comes to completed passes (120), with the second best accuracy in the side (92.5%). Number one in terms of key passes made (6) and joint first regarding successful interceptions (5) and tackles (6). He scored his first two goals at the backend of last season. He’s also formed a neat tandem with wide-playmaker Viktor Fischer, or just about anyone down his flank, as well as with the rest of his teammates when moving horizontally.

Actions speak louder than words. Blind along with captain Siem de Jong featured in every league game last season; through a combination of discipline, sticking to the basics, and freely expressing himself – at all times following De Boer's instructions to the letter – he is now a consistent performer. He's no Paolo Maldini, though cited the Italian as a role model, but is certainly the most improved footballer in the Netherlands. It's worth noting his father was a late developer. The hard work has paid off. A product of the system, he symbolises this resurgent Ajax, more than anyone he’s a reference for those coming through the ranks.

The next step is Oranje. When his father was announced as Louis van Gaal's assistant he joked a call-up would be imminent, though it was no laughing matter when he made his debut against Italy in February and subsequently made two more appearances (final games last season). He is now in possession of the Dutch left-back spot. His rivals – notably Jetro Willems and Patrick van Aanholt – know it will be difficult to usurp him.

Aad de Mos, former manager of Ajax, described him as a "revelation" at left-back. Highlighting his performance at home against Real Madrid last season as the only positive in what was a disappointing game. Blind's standout performance for Ajax against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener led to Elf Voetbal magazine publishing a feature titled "The rehabilitation of Daley Blind".

Many in the past crudely put down his presence at Ajax due to nepotism on the count of his father's stature and involvement with the club (either as coach or administrator), dismissing any thought he could be there on merit.

He would be the first to be blamed if Ajax were to drop points. Those who dismissed such nonsensical ideas and felt he was out of his depth have since held their hands up. One of the blights on modern football is the lack of patience. Blind's ascent is not only a victory for his coaches and those who believed in him but himself. Unfortunately there will still be those who would rather stay blind (no pun intended).