Taylor has several good qualities and is showing the best of it this season, impressing many around the Netherlands and Europe, and he has deserved his national team call-up under Van Gaal.
Kenneth is well-known for his two-footedness, which is a valuable asset for any football team, and he has already scored goals with both feet in this campaign.
Additionally, Taylor is full of energy and able to contribute on both ends of the pitch: while Ajax, like progressive midfielders, Taylor also has a tendency to defend with aggression and deliver on that side of the pitch.
Like Ajax greats in the past, he is comfortable on the ball with his passing and passing range, and his ability to sit between opposition lines, make space for himself, and create space for team-mates is top-notch.
His best attribute is perhaps his dribbling, and he can carry the ball toward the opposition with ease, something highly valued by top European clubs, and Ajax is enjoying.
De Toekomst, Ajax’s academy, has had a great group of players come through recently, with the likes of Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber, Deyvne Rensch, and others progressing: Taylor is right up there with that bunch.
Alfred Schreuder is impressed, too: “It’s amazing to watch him play. Two-footed, he moves well, his aggressiveness to defend is getting better, has a great read of the game, can speed up the play, and is even scoring goals now.”
His midfield dominance is particularly impressive, considering he started playing as a forward for his youth club De Foresters before dropping to the middle of the park at Ajax.
Kenneth Taylor for Ajax this season in the Eredivisie
6 games
3 goals
1 assistTwo-footed, scores goals and does work defensively.
A perfect all-round midfielder and the 20-year-old will surely be in the Netherlands squad announced on Friday.
— Michael Bell (@MichaelJBell09) September 12, 2022
Such were his performances as a youngster that he even compared to Toni Kroos - whether he can reach the heights of the German star remains to be seen.
