Back to the Premier League Newsfeed

From Bayern despair to Liverpool brilliance - the rise of Gravenberch

When Ryan Gravenberch was the newest stellar young talent to roll off Ajax's prodigious production line, he had the label of "the new Frank Rijkaard" draped around his shoulders.

The burden of comparison to the great Rijkaard, who won the Champions League, European Cup Winners' Cup and five Eredivisie titles with Ajax – as well as two European Cups with AC Milan – was a heavy one.

When Gravenberch left Ajax for one season of struggle at Bayern Munich, there were fears that the rich and obvious potential the young midfielder possessed might not be fulfilled.