He was never constantly the first choice in Netherlands either when he was supposed to tick this unwritten rule of playing regular time at Ajax. I often see him being dropped by Wijnaldum, De Jong, Marten de Roon.
This is true. Frenkie de Jong and Wijnaldum have been undisputed first choices, while De Roon played when Ronald Koeman went with a defensive option.
However it was clear that it was only a matter of time before Van de Beek would get more opportunities to start. Media were pressing last year for Van de Beek.
And De Roon performed really weak. Koeman is a very conservative coach who doesn't change his line-up quickly.
But Marten de Roon and Ryan Babel as regular starters we all knew that wasn't going to last. There was a position to be filled where Van de Beek and Pröpper were the main options, but surprisingly it seems like Klaassen has taken it. That wouldn't have been the case if Klaassen hadn't returned to Ajax and Van de Beek had stayed in Amsterdam.
Even though I'm fond of the way Klaassen is playing now (Johan Cruijff once said that Klaassen had the attributes to play like Toni Kroos) I find Van de Beek more talented.
Don't think Klaassen would be a starter right now if he was a Manchester United player, despite probably being better than McTominay. Therefore I argue that Van de Beek is a victim of making a wrong choice, where the system and reputations stand in his way. Obviously Van de Beek is good enough to start.