First Touch Training

The morning after Ajax's 3-0 victory over Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, the match dominated the headlines across the Netherlands, Europe, and even international media. The victory was seen as a significant statement, especially compared to the other semi-final, which had ended in a dull 0-0 draw. 

While it was typical for semi-final matches to be tight, cautious affairs—neither team wanting to make a critical mistake—Ajax's performance stood out. Despite the stakes, they had played with a level of flair that earned them unanimous praise. 

Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring with a composed finish, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's two goals cemented the win. Naturally, much of the media focus was on these two stars, Ajax's most recognizable talents. But what caught the attention of many pundits and fans alike was the continued rise of Yang Yang, Ajax's 17-year-old super-sub. 

Once again, Yang Yang had come off the bench and delivered a stellar performance, providing two assists that helped seal the victory. His ability to make an immediate impact in such a high-stakes match left everyone in awe. 

A teenager performing this well in the Champions League semi-finals was rare, and it didn't take long for the comparisons to start. Many observers began to wonder if Yang Yang could follow in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, another Ajax prodigy who had burst onto the scene years earlier. 

In 1995, the then-18-year-old Kluivert famously came off the bench in the Champions League final to score the decisive goal, securing Ajax's European crown. What made the comparison even more interesting was that Louis van Gaal, the same coach who had promoted Kluivert, was now Ajax's technical director. In the summer of 1994, Van Gaal had introduced Kluivert to the first team, and the young striker quickly established himself, scoring 18 goals in 25 appearances in his debut season. 

Van Gaal's careful use of Kluivert, especially in critical moments of the Champions League, became legendary. Though Kluivert often started on the bench, he was deployed at just the right moments, and his performances were nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in the famous goal that won Ajax the 1995 Champions League. 

Yang Yang, though a right winger and not a striker like Kluivert, was now on a similar path. Ajax had been nurturing him carefully, using him as a substitute in key moments, and his rise had the fingerprints of Van Gaal's long-term planning. 

However, there were those who disagreed with the comparison. Some argued that Yang Yang, while talented, hadn't shown the same explosive brilliance that Kluivert had displayed in his early career. 

"Kluivert was a generational talent," one critic pointed out. "In his debut season, he scored 18 league goals. In his second season, he scored 15. He was a pivotal part of Ajax's success, leading them to back-to-back titles. He was nearly the perfect striker in European football at the time." 

The critic continued, "Yang Yang, on the other hand, is a different kind of player. His strength lies in his pace and his ability to break through defenses on the wing. His passing is good, but his first touch and shooting are still areas that need improvement, especially his first touch, which remains his biggest weakness." 

Yet, there were also many in the media who defended Yang Yang, arguing that it was unfair to hold him to Kluivert's standards just yet. After all, Kluivert was 18 when he made his debut, while Yang Yang was only 17. The potential for growth was clear, and no one could predict how much Yang Yang might improve over the next year. 

"Players develop year by year," one reporter noted. "With the way Yang Yang is progressing, who's to say he won't be just as good, if not better, than Kluivert next season?" 

The debate raged on in the media, but one thing was clear: Yang Yang had made a significant impression, and his future seemed as bright as ever. 

... 

... 

Yang Yang paid no attention to the debates circulating in the media. Comparisons and critiques didn't concern him. He wasn't focused on competing with anyone else. He knew his weaknesses, and more importantly, he knew what he needed to work on. 

While reporters and fans speculated outside, Yang Yang was back at De Toekmost, drawing out a small square on the training ground. He placed two small posts on either side of the square, setting up makeshift goals for his next drill. Opposite him stood Maxwell, ready to assist in the training. 

Van der Vaart, Sneijder, and De Jong wandered over, curiosity getting the better of them. 

"What's this all about?" Van der Vaart asked, looking at the setup. 

Yang Yang's extra training sessions had become a routine at De Toekmost, so the team was used to it. But today, something new was happening, and it piqued everyone's interest. 

"Training," Yang Yang replied simply, still focusing on preparing the drill. 

"Training?" De Jong scratched his head. "Did that fence over there get knocked down or something?" 

"How would that happen?" Vermaelen said with a grin, shaking his head. "Think about it. You'd have to hit it pretty hard to knock over that fence, and if you did, who'd be dumb enough to pay for it?" 

The group burst into laughter, recognizing the absurdity of the idea. 

"So, what is he doing?" Sneijder asked, still intrigued. 

"I heard this is a drill he picked up from Ruud Krol," Ibrahimović chimed in, joining the conversation. "It's meant to help him with his first touch." 

Yang Yang was explaining the rules of the drill to Maxwell, detailing the specifics. 

The group looked on, slowly realizing what was happening. Yang Yang's struggle with his first touch was no secret to the team. Whenever teammates passed to him, they were often mindful to make it easier for him to control the ball, reducing the risk of mistakes. But now, it seemed Yang Yang was determined to confront that weakness head-on. 

"Looks like he's working on ball control under pressure," Sneijder said thoughtfully. 

But how was Yang Yang going to train for that in such a small space? 

As the group watched, Yang Yang laid out the challenge. The rules were simple: Maxwell would pass the ball to Yang Yang in any way he chose, and Yang Yang had to control it. However, after making the pass, Maxwell was allowed to immediately press Yang Yang, forcing him to not only control the ball but also escape the pressure and attempt to pass the ball through one of the small goals on either side. 

What made it tough was that Maxwell could choose when and how to press—sometimes waiting until Yang Yang had controlled the ball before attacking, other times closing in as soon as the pass was made. The direction of his pressure would change too, mimicking the unpredictable nature of real-game situations. 

Maxwell, known for his defensive abilities, didn't make it easy. He deliberately passed in ways that made it difficult for Yang Yang to control the ball, setting himself up to steal it. Time after time, Yang Yang's first touch let him down, and the result was that Maxwell easily won the ball back. 

Ibrahimović, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but throw in a few jabs. 

"My God, how can you be this bad at controlling the ball?" he teased, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "It's like you're trying to pass the ball three meters away on purpose. Even if I had a broken leg, I could steal it!" 

"Look at that touch! Is that supposed to be your best?" he added, laughing loudly. 

"Don't tell anyone you know me. I don't want people thinking we're friends," Ibrahimović continued to taunt, earning more laughs from the watching group. "I could control the ball better with my backside!" 

Yang Yang, though making mistakes, wasn't deterred. He kept resetting the drill and starting over, determined to improve. Maxwell wasn't holding back either, making each round more challenging than the last. 

Soon, Vermaelen, De Jong, and Heitinga were itching to get involved, each taking turns as defenders. But no matter who pressed Yang Yang, the result was often the same—mistakes, miscontrols, and turnovers. Despite the difficulty, Yang Yang refused to stop. 

By the end of the session, with exhaustion finally setting in, Yang Yang bent over, breathing heavily. 

"Hey, how does it feel to get wrecked all day?" Ibrahimović called out with a grin. 

"You're all talk," Yang Yang shot back. "If you think it's so easy, why don't you give it a try?" 

Ibrahimović looked around at the eager faces of Maxwell, Vermaelen, and De Jong, all of whom seemed more than ready to put him through the same drill. He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Nah, I'll pass. I don't need to play these beginner games." 

The group erupted in laughter at his retreat. Everyone knew Ibrahimović could dish out the banter but wasn't as eager to take it. 

Despite the difficulty of the drill, Yang Yang knew it was essential to his development. Ruud Krol had even suggested that as his first touch improved, the size of the training space would be reduced, making it even harder. The thought alone was daunting, but Yang Yang welcomed the challenge. 

No matter how tough it was, he knew that mastering his first touch was crucial. Without it, he wouldn't be able to become the complete player he aspired to be. 

... 

... 

In the corridor on the second floor of the De Toekmost training facility, head coach Ronald Koeman stood by the window, watching the scene unfold on the training ground below. Yang Yang, drenched in sweat, was locked in his intense training session, working tirelessly to improve his first touch. Beside Koeman, assistant coach Luther Carroll followed his gaze. 

Koeman shook his head, a slight frown on his face. "You've put him through some pretty tough training. Aren't you worried he'll break down in frustration?" 

Ruud Krol, who had joined them, smiled calmly. "If he were the type to give up easily, he never would have made it to Ajax. He's not the kind of player who shies away from hard work. In fact, in his current situation, he needs this kind of challenge. He's reached a point where only strong medicine will push him forward. How else will he adapt to the changes the team will inevitably go through?" 

Koeman remained quiet for a moment, his thoughts racing. He knew Krol was right. Yang Yang wasn't just a talented player—he was determined, driven to push his limits. And more importantly, Yang Yang had approached Krol himself, seeking out tougher training, showing a clear desire to improve. That kind of initiative was rare, especially in a player so young. 

The training was intense, no doubt, and Koeman understood why Krol had designed it this way. The pressure would be relentless, but if Yang Yang could rise to the challenge and improve his first touch, it would elevate his entire game. His performance would become more polished, and his overall ability would strengthen considerably. 

Koeman could already see the potential outcome. If Yang Yang continued to develop and refine his skills, he would become an even more competitive player. And that was the key. Only by continuously improving and enhancing his strengths would Yang Yang fulfill the expectations that technical director Louis van Gaal and the rest of the coaching staff had for him. 

The path forward had already been laid out. With Van der Vaart and Ibrahimovic likely to leave in the near future, Ajax would need new pillars to carry the team forward. Yang Yang had the potential to become one of those core players. If he could take that next step, he could eventually replace the outgoing stars and fly the Ajax flag as one of the club's new leaders. 

"The road's been mapped out," Koeman said quietly, watching as Yang Yang pushed through another round of training. "Now it's up to him to follow it."