On-loan Barcelona star defended by manager after ‘statue’ claims

· GetSpanishFN

Ajax head coach Míchel has moved to throw his backing behind on-loan Barcelona star Marc-André ter Stegen. This comes amid recent criticism being directed at the German. Goalkeeper Ter Stegen of…

Ajax head coach Míchel has moved to throw his backing behind on-loan Barcelona star Marc-André ter Stegen. This comes amid recent criticism being directed at the German.

Goalkeeper Ter Stegen of course secured a fresh departure from Barcelona over the summer, taking his talents to the Eredivisie with Ajax for the duration of the campaign.

The 34-year-old has since gone on to play a leading role for his new employers, notching starts in all but one of the capital club’s league fixtures.

Amid what has been a hit-and-miss stretch of form for Ajax, though, Ter Stegen has been singled out for criticism on the part of some sections of fans and the media alike.

During a recent press conference, the aforementioned Míchel was in turn faced with a somewhat unusual query:

> ”The goalkeeper (Ter Stegen) keeps standing there without making any move… It has started to feel somewhat like the museum here in the city… Madame Tussauds Museum,” a journalist explained.

Ajax’s Spanish headmaster, though, made use of the opportunity to defend Ter Stegen, responding:

> “I don’t agree with you describing him as a statue.”

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