De Boer impressed by Anita

Anita: De Boer praise

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has heaped praise on Vurnon Anita, but admits Eyong Enoh has paid the price for the midfielder's form.

Former first-team regular Enoh has been relegated to the bench in recent encounters to make way for 21-year-old Anita, a youth product at the Amsterdam club.

And while De Boer says it was a tough call choosing the Dutchman over Enoh, he believes Anita's solid form is proof he made the right decision.

"Sometimes you make difficult choices," he told Voetbal International. "Right now that choice is at the cost of Enoh.

"Vurnon is a stocky but sturdy man. He has proven himself as a back-up, and is now coping in midfield very well.

Pressure

"Using his ferocity, he quickly puts pressure on his opponents at the right time. That is his greatest strength.

"Enoh also has that gift. Such players do not come along often, so you should cherish them."

Anita has inevitably attracted interest from other top European clubs, with French giants Marseille reportedly in the hunt for his signature.

De Boer is keen to extend the youngster's contract sooner rather than later to deter any interest in the midfielder.

He added: "I think Anita is a true Ajax player, so we intend to talk to him really quickly (over a new deal)."