^
Normally I just read on this forum for the news, but I had to react to this.
I find it a bit weird that your opinion on him is based on a game from a few years ago.
I am an Ajax fan, so I see him play every week. And he is not mediocre at all.
I have never seen a CB like him actually, it's like he can get to the opponents goal in 4 steps.
He has everything a CB needs in an attacking team. He would be perfect for Barca.
About the dutch league, I don't think it's in decline at all.
Teams just like to attack, which means there can sometimes be a lot of space. I see teams with a 4 million budget that play better football than Chelsea, a multi million dollar club with huge debts. That's the difference, the money. Dutch clubs can't be in debt, otherwise the KNVB will forbid them to maken any transfers. The teams did great in Europe and ended 4th on the most points gathered this season.
I get the feeling you don't even watch the Dutch league and just follow what the media says. The academy's are not in decline, the talents just don't get hyped as much as from other country's. I see young players making their debut each week, but you don't hear or see any of that because it's not from one of the big money leagues. And I believe Ajax beat Barca in the next gen series, and some other tournaments so it's not in decline. It's only getting better.