Joeri Heerkens joined Ajax from Sparta Prague this summer and played his second match for Jong Ajax shirt at Sportpark Zoudenbalch. Although the 19-year-old goalkeeper saved two spot-kicks, the Amsterdam reserves lost 4-3.
โIf you get a point here, you can still say youโve helped the team, but ultimately Iโm just not satisfied,โ Heerkens told ESPN about his leading role. โConceding four goals, losingโฆ No, I donโt really care.โ
This outlook is clearly one of a great competitor. Heerkens spoke of how he has been received so far back in his home country since his arrival from the Czech Republic.
โIโm enjoying it, but itโs still a bit of an adjustment. Iโve only been here a month. Iโve trained twice with Jong Ajax and played two matches, so itโs taking some getting used to. Thatโs why I was brought in: to have a gap year and be able to compete in the first team next year. I have to get the Ajax football in. I just have to be there, and I demand that of myself.โ
โThe goal is to become the first-choice goalkeeper next year, or at least compete for it. Playing for the first team wouldnโt hurt either, to experience the Eredivisie atmosphere. I also want to get some playing time with Jong Ajax, because I think the Keuken Kampioen Divisie is a good level. We have to find a balance in that.โ
GBeNeFNย |ย Max Bradfield
