Versatility and studying KimmichI've been wondering how we're going to play any two of De Jong, Eriksen, and Fernandes with no defensive midfielder.
Interesting.
Martinez completed his €7m move from Defensa y Justicia to Ajax in the same summer Matthijs de Ligt departed for Juventus.
The Argentine was seen as a long-term replacement for the club's former captain at centre-back but his success in Holland, and his attractiveness to United and Arsenal, is down to his versatility too. Martinez can also play at left-back or in central midfield.
Indeed, having started his first season at Ajax in De Ligt's old position, one in which he had played the bulk of his football as a young player in Argentina, he soon found himself stepping into the midfield role vacated by Frenkie de Jong six months earlier.
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"At the beginning of the season we were looking for a brain for central midfield," said Ten Hag at the time. "We knew Martinez had played in central midfield, but could he do it in Ajax's system? We tried him there and we saw good things."
It is a testament to Martinez's tactical intelligence that, in unfamiliar surroundings, and without any knowledge of English, let alone Dutch, he was able to adapt to probably the most demanding role in the Ajax team, dictating the play from the base of midfield and providing a bridge between defence and attack.



