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De Boer unhappy with Chelsea, Man Utd over Dutch treatment: Familia-Castillo was great talent

Former Ajax star Ronald De Boer has taken aim at Premier League clubs over their management of Dutch youngsters.

De Boer has bemoaned seeing so many to prospects leave the Ajax academy for England, only to fail to reach their potential while playing within the English development system.

The Dutch great name-checked Juan Familia-Castillo, of Chelsea, after seeing the wing-back turn out for loan club ADO Den Haag on the weekend. De Boer was well aware of Familia-Castillo as he was coming through the Dutch system and was convinced he'd become a major player.

De Boer also mentioned former Chelsea striker Daishawn Redan, now with Hertha Berlin, and PSV Eindhoven striker Donyell Malen, formerly of Arsenal, when lamenting the early departures from Ajax of so much young talent.

He said on ESPN via Voetbalzone: "I think it's a shame, because Castillo was really one of the greatest talents of Ajax at the time.

"With Daishawn Redan and Donyell Malen, who has now also returned, he has not done it at Arsenal either.

"You now have Dillon Hoogewerf who has gone to Manchester United and there are more guys. Then you hold your heart. Such great talents had probably already made their debut at Ajax."

Hoogewerf, another to come through at Ajax, is currently playing for Manchester United's U18 team.

Meanwhile, former Dutch coach Aade De Mos also offered a harsh judgment on Familia-Castillo, after his appearance in ADO Den Haag's defeat at Fortuna Sittard.

He added, "It was sixteen degrees in Geleen last night (actually Sittard) and you play with your gloves on? So he is also not good in the head."


- updated February 23

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