It was 2018 when Baas, originally from the village of Oostvoorne, made the move from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. The youth academy of Excelsior was exchanged for that of Ajax. Cautious and timid as he was back then, he found himself in bustling and vibrant Amsterdam. Baas admits he was not a standout talent in the youth ranks. Still, he broke through in a new position. But that did not happen without a struggle. "I really had to adjust after coming to Amsterdam from Excelsior. That was a family club, where I knew everyone. This was Ajax, the great Ajax."
We speak to Baas in the canteen at sports complex De Toekomst. Having had to miss the European Championship with the Netherlands Under-21s, he is now fit again, and the big clash with PSV is approaching. "During my holiday, I was able to switch off from football for a while. That was necessary. I had expected to take part in the Euros with the Under-21s, but I wasn’t fit enough. That was a blow."
Personal development
Baas now knows what it means to bounce back. He learnt that when he started out at Ajax. "Here I quickly realised that if I wanted something, I had to go after it myself. That wasn’t in my personality, and I was a bit reserved, especially among the Amsterdam lads. I always did, slightly exaggerated, whatever was asked of me. But at Ajax, you were more or less forced to speak up if you wanted to achieve something. They emphasised that in the youth system. I looked at what worked for me and found my way. Standing up for myself and speaking out. That's the biggest step forward I’ve made."
Before the Ajax crowd truly got to know the defender, Baas spent a season (2023/2024) in Nijmegen. "The year before I went to NEC, I was hovering between Ajax U23 and Ajax 1. I wasn’t yet a fixed part of the first-team squad. And that's quite tough. You train daily with the first team, but you're not in the dressing room. You don’t really feel part of the senior side. That’s mentally and physically exhausting."
"At NEC, I knew: I'll be joining the senior squad. The focus could be on one thing, and that suited me well. Although I must say I learned a lot there anyway. I fell flat on my face a couple of times, but always got back up. Enjoyment came first, and I felt that a bit less the year before. That allows you to enjoy the game more. Because sometimes you forget to enjoy football. I dare say that without the year at NEC, I would not be where I am now."
Central defence
In the summer of 2024, Baas began pre-season with Ajax 1 full of confidence. "Within Ajax, it was said: you must fight for your spot at left-back. That was also in my mind. But during the first training session, I was put in central defence. The second and third sessions also went pretty well. After a few friendlies, I went to Francesco Farioli. He told me I would stay central for now, but later move to left-back. But in the end, it developed so well, I liked it, and it never changed."
With Baas on the pitch, Ajax lost only once: away at AZ. The win rate was 82 per cent, and the defender formed a reliable duo with Josip Šutalo. "For me, last season was the first year I trained and played with him. At first, it was mainly about getting a feel for each other. Which passes he wants, which he doesn’t. It took some searching, but as the season progressed, the connection was there. He knew what I would do in situations, and vice versa. That balance was nice and solid."
Baas enjoys the tactical side of playing in central defence. "Look, I enjoy building up play. But that really only came last year when I was moved centrally. The whole match, you’re scanning, creating space, looking for solutions, and so on. I also really enjoy watching footage of opponents and drawing up a plan against them. I’m very focused on that, on and off the pitch. If you know where you need to go, finding the right man is easier. Then it’s just a matter of executing it properly," he laughs.
Learning from others
"Daley Blind is an example in that regard. He's very clever and can take out five or six men with one pass. I can learn a lot from that.” He also learnt from Jordan Henderson. "Now I go to the swimming pool more often, directly after a match or when I get back to Amsterdam. I picked that up from Henderson last year. He said, "Give it a try." And it worked well."
The older, the wiser. "The older you get, the better you get to know your body. You learn what works for you and what doesn't. Otherwise, I don't think it will work out. I’m still not done learning, and sometimes I’m still searching for what works best at a given moment. But I think that’s always the case, throughout your whole career."
The season under Farioli ultimately ended in disappointment, with the title slipping away. For Baas, who was named Talent of the Year by the technical staff, the end was doubly bitter. During the 2–0 away win at PSV, he suffered an injury. It turned out to be his last match of the season. "Injuries are always annoying. Especially at that moment, the timing was terrible. It was tough because part of me expected to make it to the end. Watching from the sidelines is very difficult. I was glad I could play pain-free again recently," he says, referring to the start of pre-season. "That's when you notice how much you miss it. Especially when you see other players with long-term injuries, you understand it better. You know what it’s like not being able to play."
Building on
This season, John Heitinga is the coach, a familiar face for Baas. "I already knew him from the old Under-18s, at Ajax U23 and from his interim spell at Ajax 1. Every coach has their own way of working and playing. That always takes some adjusting, but that’s normal. The vibe in the group is good, and we need to make each other better every day."
"We have to build on last season. We're another year further on, and you take on more responsibility. People expect that too, especially in that position. And that’s fine, that’s what I play for. I find the tactical side very interesting, and that goes hand in hand with the responsibility I feel. That’s what I demand of myself."
What can Ajax fans expect from Baas this season? "Someone who takes responsibility from the back in the build-up, but also in defending and organising. I think I need to be more commanding. I have to take responsibility in such a way that they have to listen to me. A leader with my feet and with presence; that’s what I want to become."
And when will it be a success? "Winning a trophy as a team, and staying fit for the entire season myself. That’s what I’m aiming for."
