Ernst praises Ajax rival’s German keeper as Feyenoord eyes victory

On a damp training session at De Kuip, newly‑signed Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst watches a replay of a Barcelona match, recalling the summer when he joined the club and openly praised a rival’s star keeper.

Admiration for a rival keeper

Ernst says he admires Marc ter Stegen, a fellow German and countryman who spent many years at FC Barcelona, despite ter Stegen being linked to arch‑rival Ajax. The young Dutch international highlighted the rarity of two German keepers featuring in the Netherlands’ biggest clash, Feyenoord versus Ajax.

“I admire him. Playing so long at Barcelona makes you a great keeper. Soon there will be two German keepers in the biggest match of the Netherlands, Feyenoord – Ajax. I find that special and I hope we win,” Ernst told .

He added, “Neuer has stopped, Ter Stegen continues, but behind that the next generation must be ready. I hope I am one of those keepers.”

Ernst, 23, signed this summer with Feyenoord after being picked up for around five million euros from Hertha BSC. The transfer marks his first move to a Dutch heavyweight.

Transfer details and criticism

Club legend Willem van Hanegem was far from enthusiastic after Ernst’s debut, questioning his confidence on high balls and lack of aggression. “We also don’t have a good keeper, come on. This is terrible,” the former star complained.

“He doesn’t come out of his goal convinced on high balls. A keeper must be aggressive, that’s not at all. Ernst must not always want to play the ball, just sometimes shoot it away. If I had been in the stadium, I would have shouted. Sometimes I don’t understand it,” van Hanegem continued.