Tottenham flop Steven Bergwijn scores HAT-TRICK in only second league start at Ajax following £26m transfer
TOTTENHAM ‘flop’ Steven Bergwijn bagged a home-debut hat-trick as Ajax smashed Groningen 6-1.
The Holland winger has matched his total of four goals for Spurs last season in just two games for the Dutch champions.
Bergwijn swivelled to volley a brilliant fourth-minute opener, then added a header and another neat finish before being taken off on 69 minutes.
Fans on social media hailed Ajax’s attack as one of the best in Europe – especially as Manchester United target Antony scorched a sensational solo goal.
Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag is also a big admirer of Bergwijn’s other strike-partner, Brian Bobbey.
Cyril Ngonge notched a shock leveller for Groningen but Antony’s sensational strike and Bergwijn’s second goal made it 3-1 at the break.
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The ex-PSV hero completed his brilliant first-ever Eredivisie treble on 57 minutes.
Kenneth Taylor and Bergwijn’s replacement Steven Berguis then rounded off Ajax’s emphatic triumph.
One supporter tweeted: “Think this is the best Ajax attack for the foreseeable future. Could’ve been more for a few of them too.”
Another claimed: “We now have one of the most exciting attacks in Europe.”
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And some fans even urged Bergwijn: “Come back to Tottenham.”
A few, however, suggested he was more suited to Dutch football than the more physical Premier League.
Bergwijn, 24, himself was quick to tweet a summary of his joyful afternoon: “3 points, 3 goals.”
And so far his form and figures vindicate a £26million transfer that, he says, “shocked” him.
Stats specialists Squawka hailed his “perfect home debut” after all four of his goal-attempts were on target, including of course the three he netted.
And he had 52 touches – compared to the meagre eight that Manchester City new boy Erling Haaland racked up the previous day in a 4-0 defeat of Bournemouth.
Former Ajax academy player Bergwijn said of his move last month: “I was a bit shocked. I didn’t see it coming.
“If you can go back to Ajax it’s quite tempting. They always do well in the league and the Champions League. So, it’s a step up for me.”
Bergwijn’s stirring display alongside Antony might make it even more difficult for Ten Hag to land the latter.
Ajax are standing firm on their £70m valuation of the Brazilian – £19m more than United are thought to have offered.