On March 30, 2025, former Ajax coach Henk ten Cate came to the defense of striker Brian Brobbey during an appearance on the show Goedemorgen Eredivisie. Ten Cate expressed his belief that the criticism directed at Brobbey is unjustified, highlighting the player's impressive work ethic and the challenging circumstances he faces on the pitch.
“Brobbey is being heavily criticized at the moment,” Ten Cate remarked. “I find it a bit unfair. If you see how much work that kid puts in and where he has to defend... Brobbey is defending 30 meters from his own goal! That puts him about 80 meters away from the opponent's goal.”
Ten Cate elaborated on the tactical challenges Brobbey encounters, noting that Ajax's slow build-up play often leaves the striker in difficult positions. “Ajax is not a team that utilizes quick transitions. The build-up is relatively slow. This means that when Brobbey gets forward, the opposing defense is already organized, and there’s almost no space for him to operate,” he explained.
Despite Brobbey's struggles to find the net this season, Ten Cate believes the situation is more complex than mere goal-scoring statistics suggest. “I break a bit of a lance for Brobbey because I actually feel sorry for him,” he said. “The kid is really at war with himself and works himself to the bone. He gets substituted after an hour every time. I don’t know if he’s not fit enough; that can only be assessed by the coach. But if fitness isn’t the issue, then giving a striker confidence is far more important right now.”
Brobbey has faced a challenging season, having played 24 Eredivisie matches and clocking in 1,176 minutes on the field, but only managing to score four goals. In total competitions, he has seven goals and five assists this year. In contrast, last season, Brobbey netted 18 goals in the Eredivisie and 22 goals overall for Ajax.
As Ajax prepares to face PSV later today, Brobbey is expected to start in the striker position, especially with Wout Weghorst sidelined due to injury. The match kicks off at 14:30 at the Philips Stadion, and both teams are in a fierce battle for the league title.
Ten Cate’s insights shed light on the difficulties Brobbey has faced this season, which have been compounded by Ajax's current playing style under coach Francesco Farioli. The former Ajax manager’s comments resonate with many fans who have been concerned about Brobbey’s lack of scoring and the frequent substitutions that have become a hallmark of his season.
With a rich history of success at Ajax, including winning the Johan Cruijff Schaal and the KNVB Beker during the 2006/07 season, Ten Cate’s opinions carry weight. His defense of Brobbey reflects a broader understanding of the complexities involved in football, where a player’s performance can be influenced by various factors beyond mere talent.
As the pressure mounts for Ajax to reclaim their position at the top of the Eredivisie standings, the club remains hopeful that Brobbey can turn his form around. With the right support and confidence from the coaching staff, fans are eager to see if the young striker can rediscover the scoring touch that made him a standout player last season.
In the meantime, discussions surrounding potential transfers and player movements continue to swirl around Ajax. The club has been linked with a possible return for Christian Eriksen, who is currently available on a free transfer, adding another layer of intrigue as the season progresses.
As the clock ticks down to the match against PSV, all eyes will be on Brobbey to see if he can rise to the occasion and help Ajax secure vital points in their quest for the league title.
