Player Focus: Improving Veltman Worth His Weight in Gold to Ajax

One common milestone in the ever-youthful Dutch top-flight is an individual reaching a century of appearances. It's a feat Joël Veltman, playing in his fourth season, experienced at the backend of last year. His ascent from prospect to cornerstone hasn't come without stumbling points, notably suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury aged 16. Despite what his most ardent critics proclaim, he possesses enough redeeming qualities to suggest a bright future ahead with this season turning out to be a watershed moment.

A native of Velsen, roughly a 35-minute drive from Amsterdam, Veltman stands today as an integral component of Ajax's rear-guard. In the 69 league matches he's completed the 90 minutes since making his full debut in November 2012, his side have kept 32 clean sheets (46.4%) whilst conceding 52 goals (one every 119.42 minutes). What makes his name the first on the teamsheet is an invaluable upbringing in the context of Frank de Boer's overarching philosophy.

He is one of a number of players in the first eleven to come through Ajax's revered academy set-up. Arriving in 2001, aged nine, it was there he transformed into a fully-fledged defender after originally starting out as a striker. Soaking up everything his coaches at youth level taught him, including De Boer before he left to manage the first team, Veltman is tailor-made for their current approach, which largely draws upon the old Cruyff-Van Gaal vision. Furthermore his job as the 'number three', or ball-playing centre-half, is of tremendous importance in their oft-scrutinised game plan.

There are two principal reasons to why De Boer remains steadfast in his desire to play a possession-based game. Firstly, keeping possession (averaging 56.5% per game) conserves energy, but more practically it can be used to break down stubborn opposition. Ajax play horizontally after a vertical pass, a case in point when the central defenders go out with ball, opening up the field and moving wider so the right or left-back can join the midfield line. The central-defenders play a vital role, in De Boer's words, by provoking the opponent: invite them forward, then if they apply quick pressure the ball goes to the other central defender who then makes a vertical pass. Veltman, who is effectively a conductor in defensive clothing, produces 43 accurate short passes per game.

His proficiency in mastering continuous ball circulation also eases the burden applied on Ajax's midfield and follows Johan Cruyff's maxim of those in his position needing to have the "best ball handling skills". As Pep Guardiola states, "they bring you out of trouble and set up the forwards". Aad de Mos, former coach turned pundit, feels the 24-year-old should embark upon a path once made by De Boer. A reasonable suggestion when considering both, classified as 'footballing defenders', seldom resort to physicality, instead preferring their skill on the ball is predominantly recognised.

In fact, one of De Boer's two rules of defending – which served him well in an illustrious 17-year playing career – is to "never tackle" only as a last resort (the other is "never turn around to block the ball"), nevertheless that doesn't mean abandoning his primary responsibilities. Veltman, like his manager before, lacks pure speed so instead resolves matters by positioning himself correctly. When he makes an interception (3.7 per game) or clearance (5.7 per game) it's because he knows where the ball is going. Indeed, the fact he has made more interceptions than any other Eredivisie player this season in total (81) is no coincidence.

"Players should not just run with their legs, but with their head as well," as Guus Hiddink once prescribed. Ajax's pride in educating their footballers to be calm in a multitude of roles and scenarios – during each match they are left to their own problem solving devices – has shaped Veltman, whose versatility shone against eternal rivals Feyenoord over the weekend.

His tireless performance, often relentless with a 'take no prisoners' mentality, at right-back – filling in for the excellent Kenny Tete (7.35) who is currently sidelined after sustaining ankle ligament damage – earned him the highest WhoScored rating (8.40) from Sunday's meeting. "He completely devoured [Eljero] Elia," De Boer gushed afterwards. It was Veltman's fourth man of the match accolade of 2015/16, already one more than he picked up during 2014/15, putting him on course to surpass the total (7) from his breakthrough season (2013/14).

Seamlessly transitioning from defence to attack is Veltman's most distinguished strength (completing 79.5% of his attempted dribbles since the 2013/14 season) and in De Boer's system he fulfils another important task. By regularly moving into midfield, Veltman gives the Amsterdammers a numerical advantage in the middle third, which allows the formation of (passing) triangles, with the fundamental aim to create scoring opportunities. Of late it's been easier said than done.

Similar to Toby Alderweireld, who he learnt so much from as his understudy in their short period together, Veltman is particularly skilled when it comes to switching play and executing a long pass (5.5 per game), 2 of which have resulted in a direct assist. Creativity isn't the only area where he continues to steadily improve, as his reading of the game has come on leaps and bounds since becoming a regular fixture. With 2 goals under his belt Veltman requires another two to equal last season's tally (4), his best return in a top-flight campaign to prove he's not just a threat from set pieces. That said, he's becoming more and more dominant in the air, winning 64.2% of his aerial duels compared to a disappointing 53.9% last season.

Inconsistency, yet, remains an issue. Veltman's buccaneering attitude, which is part of his natural game and does more good than harm, makes him prone to the odd lapse in concentration. Nevertheless, compared to his first two seasons there's an increased sense of maturity and calmness, evident in being dispossessed just 5 times thus far. Niklas Moisander's departure last summer, effectively leaving him as the eldest in Ajax's first choice back-line, was probably the best thing to happen as it forced him to come out of his shell. Becoming increasingly vocal and strategic – for example, organising a young backline something he'd formerly left to the more experienced Finn – has reaffirmed a belief many have long held.

Thriving in a position of authority, previously described as a "field general" by De Boer, he's taken Jaïro Riedewald – another youth graduate – under his wing, consequently forging a formidable tandem. It’s a classic right-foot, left-foot centre-back combination. Riedewald, who is five years his junior, has been the perfect foil for Veltman. In the 16 games they've played the full duration side-by-side, the record 33-time champions have finished 11 with a clean sheet while, letting in just 7 goals (one every 205.71 minutes).

However, a season-ending ankle injury suffered by the teenager (7.15 rating) in the 2-1 victory over Feyenoord has ended any chance of their partnership reunifying in the run-in. It’s a shame because in their brief run they've shown an almost telepathic understanding at times. Still, looking forward, it bodes well for the club, with both contracted for at least another two seasons.

With a dozen remaining matches it's likely the eventual Eredivisie winners will come from a small group of two. Ajax, who in spells have flattered to deceive, have nonetheless given themselves a real chance – currently trailing PSV by a single point – courtesy of their imperious back five (14 goals conceded after 22 played – the best defensive record in the league by a considerable margin).

Though it shall look substantially different in their upcoming fixtures, Veltman, who has earned the second highest rating (7.75) in the Eredivisie, will be even more important, alternating between right-back and central defence. He may never reach the level of his eminent predecessors, but he upholds a proud lineage that stretches back across the past half-century. For De Boer – one of those in question and guardian of the "Ajax school" – he is worth his weight in gold.

How impressed have you been with Joel Veltman's development this season? Let us know in the comments below