Leonardo Vitor Santiago

[Kowalczyk]

So, what the fuck's this all about...?

He was fringe player, totally dumped, but today he suddenly got the nod - and not Kennedy, Rommedahl, Cvitanich... there were many options. What's that supposed to mean?

I thought it was a really weird choice... You could also tell that he was playing for himself, not for the team.

K.

[LucaS]

Van Basten's explanation was that Leonardo trained really wel last weeks

[Kowalczyk]

Van Basten's explanation was that Leonardo trained really wel last weeks

Yeah, but on the other hand: I read that he was embarrassingly negative when he played for Young Ajax last week...

Oh well, fair enough that Van Basten is enough of a man to change his mind.

K.

[Tom_]

It was hard to tell on Sopcast but did he look a bit grumpy when he was substituted?

[SPL]

Very strange selection, looks like he is not going to Qatar now. Cvitanich is obviously still not ready for the first team as he played for the reseves tonight.

[Blind3]

Cvitanich played in the rough and tumble Argentine league,was a scorer in his time there, is evidently worth several millions to Ajax , and can't get a whiff in a first team that hasn't gotten its offense on track yet? Strange.

[raymon]

Cvitanich played in the rough and tumble Argentine league,was a scorer in his time there, is evidently worth several millions to Ajax , and can't get a whiff in a first team that hasn't gotten its offense on track yet? Strange.

Cvitanich is a striker, not a winger. Therefore the choice for Leonardo is not that weird. Admittedly I would have prefered Suarez from the start.

Cvitanich will get his chance but hopefully on his own position.

[LucaS]

Ajax has the chance now to look if Cvitanic is fit to be Huntelaar's succesor. If he is good enough, it might be wise to sell Huntelaar in januari, provided that there still are clubs that are willing to pay the huge amount that seems to be offered on the 31st of august.

[Blind3]

With Man City in the equation now, 40 mill or more suddenly doesn't sound ridiculous. That is, once KJH begins to score.

[Kowalczyk]

As mentioned in the Players Leaving Ajax thread: Marco van Basten is quoted in newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, saying that Leonardo has "fought back" and is currently making a "very good impression". Ajax are considering a contract renewal.

K.

[Blind3]

Smart move .

[gordonvandekamp]

He has played well this year and really looked to be one of the best forwards recently, although he's another example of a player treated with general incompetence by the club. If I were him, I'd think pretty hard about it.

[aveslacker]

He has played well this year and really looked to be one of the best forwards recently, although he's another example of a player treated with general incompetence by the club. If I were him, I'd think pretty hard about it.

I was under the impression that he really likes being at Ajax. I think the club should keep him -- he's been effective so far.

[Cedric]

I think a lot of players prefer to be on an Ajax bench or stand than playing for the likes of NEC, NAC, etc. Don't know why.

Leonardo has been good as a sub this year, but as a starter? I have some strong doubts about that. And I don't see him put Sulejmani, Suarez or Cvitanich on the bench. If he can live with the fact that he will basically stay a sub, a contract renewal is ok imo.

[gordonvandekamp]

I think a lot of players prefer to be on an Ajax bench or stand than playing for the likes of NEC, NAC, etc. Don't know why.

Leonardo has been good as a sub this year, but as a starter? I have some strong doubts about that. And I don't see him put Sulejmani, Suarez or Cvitanich on the bench. If he can live with the fact that he will basically stay a sub, a contract renewal is ok imo.

Yeah, he's more than likely not going to be a starter with everyone fit. Especially as we now appear to be after Elia from Twente. If we add him, it's likely to move Leonardo another spot down in the order.

[Kowalczyk]

Now that the Elia transfer has become highly unlikely, Ajax have told Leonardo that he will not be allowed to leave this season.

Good decision, if you ask me.

K.

[Blind3]

Hallelujah. Someone at Ajax showing common sense.

[Kowalczyk]

Danny Blind has confirmed that Henk ten Cate's Panathinaikos are interested in signing Leonardo. The Athens club officially contacted Ajax, but - says Blind - Ajax are still waiting for their first official bid. "It will have to be a substantial fee, we will not let him go just like that."

According to press reports Panathinaikos will offer one million euros. Blind says that he did not receive an official bid yet, but one million is "not enough".

K.

[DanK]

He's the perfect back-up. Lets keep him.

[SE6Ajacied]

"It will have to be a substantial fee, we will not let him go just like that."

According to press reports Panathinaikos will offer one million euros. Blind says that he did not receive an official bid yet, but one million is "not enough".

K.

I suppose he'll go then, which I think will be bad for us. Call me an old cynic but (assuming we are not wanting ridiculous money which is unlikely) I assume this means we've seen the last of him.

Which is a shame as for whatever reaosn I'm not really sure we've seen the best of him. At least in playing in Greece I suppose he's unlikely to come back and haunt us.

[SPL]

1m euros seems like a lot of money for a guy with 5 months left on his contract and that is about what we paid for him but we want more ! It does seem that we will sell at the right price. Big problem is we are the left with only 3 forwards, the 3 who played last week with Kennedy and Martina still around because no one else has come in for them yet.

Leo has been useful as a sub and it does seem strange we want him out now.

Keeping Leo I still think we would need another new forward but if he goes we need 2 imo as Bodul will probably be eased in next season.

PS I have forgotten someone Manucharyan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gordonvandekamp]

I don't think a million is enough for Ajax to let him go now, I wouldn't be surprised if we held out for 3-5 Million (which I don't think they'll pay, which in turn means I don't see him leaving). We'll hold them for ransom since we'd like to keep him for the rest of the year, even with an expiring contract. I think we'd rather keep him for now and then look at a replacement once the contract expires.

[Blind3]

I'd much rather have a pacy, slightly mothballed Leonardo than a less pacy, underperforming fringe player like Kennedy. That said, I don't think we should part with Kennedy either. Not right now. Injuries are rearing their head again.

[SPL]

Danny Blind says Leo will stay . If anyone wants him it will cost 5m euros. Leo himself has said he cannot see anyone paying more than 1m euros.

Looks like he is staying then.

[Kowalczyk]

Leo's agent told the Ajax Supporters Club that Leonardo received an official letter from Ajax in which the club announce that he will be fired at season's end. This is a formality: it must be done because the club do not have the intention to extend his deal.

The agent also claims that Ajax and Leonardo will talk one more time about a possible contract renewal, but for now it looks like he won't get an offer to extend his deal.

This is a bit weird. I thought he had already penned a contract at Henk ten Cate's Panathinaikos...? Apparently that's not the case. Hmm. Strange.

I have to say: Leonardo has scored two of the most memorable and most ecstatically celebrated goals of the season (Hamburg away and Fiorentina at home), and as a substitute he was a joy to watch a few times, but is that enough for a congract renewal...? He's been consistently crap when Van Basten played him from the start. He had his moments, but not much more than that... I think I understand Ajax's (upcoming) decision to let him go.

K.