06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
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06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
The inglorious season that was marked by summer tragedy and some very mediocre play blessfully comes to a close this Sunday. Ajax take on Excelsior with nothing to play for other than pride as second place was secured with the victory over AZ this past weekend. Erik ten Hag's job as trainer appears to be secure for next season and it remains to be seen whether he can survive the curse of almost all recent Ajax managers save Frank de Boer and manage the team for more than a season and a half.
Will we see some of the prospects for next season get a start in this match? In truth there are not a lot options because of all the injuries and I'm not sold on some of the young players such as Dani de Wit. I would like to see Masraoui get another run out at RB. I imagine de Ligt, Wöber, and Tagliafico all start as there are precious few alternatives. I don't know if Eiting is fit; if so it would be good to give him a start over Schöne. Maybe give Ekkelenkamp some more playing time as well. Hunelaar deserves a rest for this match and Dolberg should play at least a half with either Cassiera or Serhius coming in. Let's send a message to Kluivert and start Johnsen.
EDIT: I just saw where Dolberg will get the start on Sunday so that he has a game to get him ready for the Danish NT WC squad.
Will we see some of the prospects for next season get a start in this match? In truth there are not a lot options because of all the injuries and I'm not sold on some of the young players such as Dani de Wit. I would like to see Masraoui get another run out at RB. I imagine de Ligt, Wöber, and Tagliafico all start as there are precious few alternatives. I don't know if Eiting is fit; if so it would be good to give him a start over Schöne. Maybe give Ekkelenkamp some more playing time as well. Hunelaar deserves a rest for this match and Dolberg should play at least a half with either Cassiera or Serhius coming in. Let's send a message to Kluivert and start Johnsen.
EDIT: I just saw where Dolberg will get the start on Sunday so that he has a game to get him ready for the Danish NT WC squad.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Will miss the game , will be the only one this season.Sky not showing it so cannot record it .Cricket is on this weekend and the sun is going to shine. (Sky in Uk have lost La Liga rights so hopefully they will keep Dutch footy)
It will be a low key game and several fringe players should get playing time. Agree Kluivert should be rested.Eiting is unfit but don't think de Wit is 1st team material!
It will be a low key game and several fringe players should get playing time. Agree Kluivert should be rested.Eiting is unfit but don't think de Wit is 1st team material!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Well if you want Justin Kluivert out asap, wouldn't it be better if he does play, assuming that he wants to impress scouts, he would be one of the first players to leave Ajax no?
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Sunny day here on the south coast so will sit and watch cricket with mates. Hope for a win today but it really is a non event and a few players missing.
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Enjoy the cricket!! This afternoon I'll be singing in a choral concert which unfortunately will be inside. I'll watch the match assuming there is a suitable stream.SPL schreef:Sunny day here on the south coast so will sit and watch cricket with mates. Hope for a win today but it really is a non event and a few players missing.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
The lineup I see posted on line looks like a 3-4-3. Lamprou in for Onana. Mazraoui at RB, de Ligt in the middle and Tagliafico at LB. Matusiwa, Schöne, van de Beek and Ziyech in MF with Dolberg, Kluivert and Huntelaar up front. We'll see if this is how they come out.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
What a comedy of errors on the own goal. Lamprou was out way to far and could not catch up to de Ligt's back pass.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Can't find a decent feed -- all the ones that claim to be streaming Ajax are streaming other games -- PSV, Zwolle, etc.
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
1-0 at the half from the de Ligt own goal which still looks like it was more Lamprou's fault for being out way too far when a back pass was sure to come. Matusiwa had a nice first half and it looks like he has much better handling speed than Schöne as he gets the pass away much quicker and to the right man. He also looks for space in the MF when he doesn't have the ball. Huntelaar looked like he picked up some kind of 'turf' injury and is off for Neres (I really don't like these artificial surfaces). Dolberg still looks slow.
Club needs to stop with the long passes into the box and try to break down the defense.
Club needs to stop with the long passes into the box and try to break down the defense.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
I can only find web browser feeds which are less than optimal.rjf1 schreef:Can't find a decent feed -- all the ones that claim to be streaming Ajax are streaming other games -- PSV, Zwolle, etc.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Justinho (he needs a one name now!) from a nice Ziyech pass. All even.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
1-2 with a PK from Dolberg after Ziyech was tripped in the box.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Looked like a double hand ball in the box and Ajax should have had a PK.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
So the meaningless match ends up 1-2 with Dolberg netting the match winner from the spot. The second half seemed to be played in slo-motion at times. Ajax had several chances to add to their tally but poor finishing put a damper on each attempt. There was more than a hint of a hand ball a nice Justinho shot but Nijhuis did not give it. Matusiwa played a nice match and reminds me somewhat of Vurnon Anita with his handling speed.
Player Ratings:
Lamprou (6) - after the horrible error on the de Ligt back pass he had a pretty decent game making some good saves in the 2nd half
Tagliafico (6) - had to stay back because of the formation which is not a good use of his abilities
de Ligt (6) - I'll take a half point off for the back pass just to even things out a bit but otherwise solid
Mazraoui (6) - still needs some work if he is to convert to RB
Schöne (6) - Ok but overshadowed by Matusiwa
Matusiwa (7) - nice game on his debut and I want to see more to judge whether he is better than Eiting
van de Beek (6.5) - busy game and had a couple of chances to score
Ziyech (7) - farewell match for Ajax and had some nice passes but really should have scored late in the match
Justinho (7) - rumours of a new Ajax contract (we'll see) and he had a very good match with one goal and a couple of other good shots on target
Dolberg (6) - got the match winner but still doesn't look in match shape
Huntelaar (5) - pretty much of a non-factor before coming off in the first half with an injury
Neres (6.5) - usual active play and created some dangerous situations
Cassiera (5) - had one really good chance to get a shot off on goal but mishandled the ball
Ekkelenkamp (NR) - on late
That wraps the season up. I'll post my season thoughts tomorrow.
Player Ratings:
Lamprou (6) - after the horrible error on the de Ligt back pass he had a pretty decent game making some good saves in the 2nd half
Tagliafico (6) - had to stay back because of the formation which is not a good use of his abilities
de Ligt (6) - I'll take a half point off for the back pass just to even things out a bit but otherwise solid
Mazraoui (6) - still needs some work if he is to convert to RB
Schöne (6) - Ok but overshadowed by Matusiwa
Matusiwa (7) - nice game on his debut and I want to see more to judge whether he is better than Eiting
van de Beek (6.5) - busy game and had a couple of chances to score
Ziyech (7) - farewell match for Ajax and had some nice passes but really should have scored late in the match
Justinho (7) - rumours of a new Ajax contract (we'll see) and he had a very good match with one goal and a couple of other good shots on target
Dolberg (6) - got the match winner but still doesn't look in match shape
Huntelaar (5) - pretty much of a non-factor before coming off in the first half with an injury
Neres (6.5) - usual active play and created some dangerous situations
Cassiera (5) - had one really good chance to get a shot off on goal but mishandled the ball
Ekkelenkamp (NR) - on late
That wraps the season up. I'll post my season thoughts tomorrow.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Clearly didn't miss much ,real end of season stuff. Will wait for the fixtures as we are planning on a few days in Amsterdam in September but we will arrange it around a game.
Hot and very sunny at cricket today ,summer has arrived in England !!
Been wonderful sharing being a fan of this oh so beautiful club with all of you and we will continue through the summer.
Whatever happens at Ajax this summer it will not be as dreadful as that day in Austria last July
Hot and very sunny at cricket today ,summer has arrived in England !!
Been wonderful sharing being a fan of this oh so beautiful club with all of you and we will continue through the summer.
Whatever happens at Ajax this summer it will not be as dreadful as that day in Austria last July
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
2017-18 Ajax Season Review
For those of us true Ajax supporters, this past season was one of tragedy and unrealized promise. Coming off of a Europa League run that saw Ajax make it to the finals only to lose to ManU, a club whose financial resources dwarf those of Ajax, we thought that the young players who had come through the academy would lead the club forward. Then the unthinkable happened. On July 8 in a friendly against Werder Bremen Appie Nouri collapsed and suffered irreversible brain damage, ending a career that we were all looking forward to. Nothing would ever be the same as a young player in the prime of life was taken from us.
Ajax also had to deal with front office turmoil. Peter Bosz who took the club to the EL finals departed under weird circumstances for Borussia Dortmund (where he didn’t last long). Ajax promoted Marcel Keizer who managed Jong Ajax to a second place finish in the Jupiter League. Because Ajax finished second last season to arch-rival Feyenoord they had to go through the qualification rounds in the Champions League. Ajax drew Nice and after a 1-1 draw with a precious away goal, Ajax spilled it at home conceding a second goal that let Nice advance on away goals. Dropping into the Europa League qualification, Ajax fell to Rosenberg. Ajax also started the season poorly, losing the opener to Heracles and falling into a bigger hole as the season progressed with a draw to ADO, losses to Utrecht, Vitesse, and two draws to now relegated FC Twente (one in the season and the second in the league cup where they went out on penalties). The poor first half resulted in the sacking of Keizer and Utrecht’s Erik ten Hag was brought in to see if he could lead a challenge to PSV. The tactics didn’t appear to be any different in the 2nd half of the season and ultimately Ajax was just not consistent enough and PSV won the league.
Let’s not forget that Sanchez started the season with Ajax but once they were out of the CL, he was sold on to Spurs. Ajax had to deal with some long term injury problems with Sinkgraven out for most of the year, same with Cerny, Viergever for the 2nd half of the season, Dolberg and Frenkie de Jong for about 1/3 of the season and the late knee injury suffered by Veltman that assured he won’t be sold on this summer. In addition, there was the disciplinary situation with Younes who entered the year having been capped by Germany (albeit in the meaningless Confederation’s Cup) and just self-destructed.
Season Player Ratings:
GK
Onana (7) – did an admirable job all season long irrespective of who was playing in front of him. Unfortunately, there is really no capable substitute on the bench. Van Leer who was brought in as the #2 suffered a knee injury and it’s unclear whether he can do the job. Onana is likely to leave this summer and will be missed.
Defenders
Dijks played early on in the season but was not a factor at all once Tagliafico joined the team and as noted
Viergever was hurt before the winter break and never returned. Both players are leaving Ajax.
Tagliafico (7) – he was the LB that needed to join the team last summer but did a very nice job for the 2nd half of the year. He’s a capable defender and a threat going forward. The big question is whether Ajax can keep him if he has a good WC run with Argentina. There is another problem if Argentina have a deep run and play into July. Tagliafico will deserve time off and may not be back in time for the CL qualifying round.
Wöber (5.5) – suffered a couple of minor injuries and missed some matches. In addition he played some LB as well as in the center and looks to be better suited to the latter. He has some promise but maybe he is just an Austrian Viergever, workman like but not top class.
de Ligt (7.5) – best player on the club by far and we have to remember he is only 18 years old. Ajax will be fortunate if he stays for an extra season. He seldom is caught out of positon and is so good on the ball that you think he must be a MF.
Veltman (6) – solid defender who is too slow to play RB but since Ajax had no other viable option that’s where he played.
Kristensen (4.5) – brought in from Denmark at mid-season and only played a half dozen times. Not clear whether he is good enough to play for Ajax.
Frenkie de Jong (6.5) – listed in this category as that’s where ten Hag played him though he was always going forward as a fourth MF when the field was open. A training injury ended his season too early and let’s hope he gets a run out in the MF next season.
MF
Schöne (6) – he really cannot play a full 90 minutes these days and even his free kicks are not what they once were. He always worked hard as the holding MF but his lack of quickness left gaps at times forcing the backline to do more than they should have to. He also sits on the ball too long rather than passing up field. Most of his goals were from free kicks or penalties.
van de Beek (6.5) – a solid first season as a full time player starting 33 of the 34 league matches. He scored some nice goals and was effecting pressing opposing players. He has good ball skills and quickness to progress to a higher level.
Ziyech (6.5) – to inconsistent for me. When he was good he was very good and when he was bad it made me cringe. He always ran hard all match long and even when the ball was lost he tried pressing to get it back. Alas, we thought that he would lead Ajax to a couple of league championships when he moved over from Twente but only saw 2nd place. I wish him well with his next club.
Siem de Jong (5) – first choice to come off the bench since his namesake was being used on the back line. A plodding MF who in his first run at Ajax scored quite a few key goals. Unfortunately he no longer has that ability. This was always a questionable acquisition and there really isn’t a place on the roster for him.
Forwards
Neres (7) – never tries to do too much to force the play when things are closed off which is refreshing since we haven’t had a player like this in some while. He gets my vote as the offensive player of the year and was top leading scorer.
Kluivert (6) – somewhat the opposite player to Neres as he often forces play when the pass back would be a better option. One of the best players at bringing a long ball under control and doing something with it. He always tracks back on defense and presses well. Let’s hope he comes to his senses and stays with Ajax.
Huntelaar (6) – you know you always get 100% and no complaints when he is on the pitch. He’s not the devastating finisher he once was but he still is a reliable scorer when he gets an open shot. Because of the injury to Dolberg he was the top choice for #9
Dolberg (5) – hurt his foot before the winter break and was out most of the 2nd half of the season. It’s still unclear whether he is a top class player and it will be interesting to see if he sees any action for Denmark in the upcoming WC. Right now he doesn’t have much transfer value as he’s not a proven goal scorer.
Prospects
Johnsen, Eiting, Mazraoui, Ekkelenkamp, and Matusiwa all saw action at one point during the season. Mazraoui is the most interesting of the group as it looks like he can play a number of positions and seems to have good field sense. I would like to see him get a better run at RB as the options there are not good. Eiting is player who might make a good holding MF but has to get some first team game time.
2018-19
Ajax has to go through three rounds of CL qualifiers if they are to make it to the group stage with the first games in late July. That’s going to be a tough road and a Europa League spot is more realistic but not a given as we saw this past season. If Ajax can keep Kluivert, de Ligt, and Tagliafico they might have a nice club provided they get a first rate keeper (I assume Onana is gone). Sinkgraven is still only 22 and probably a better MF than a LB but can he stay free of injury? Where will Frenkie de Jong play? Are any of the young MFs ready for first team football? What will Ajax do with the transfer money coming in from Ziyech and Onana (the cynic in me says nothing!!).
Based on the players currently on the squad here is a projected starting 11 for next season:
GK?????
Mazraoui, de Ligt, Wöber, Tagliafico
Schöne/Eiting/Matusiwa, van de Beek, F. de Jong
Neres, Dolberg/Huntelaar, Kluivert
For those of us true Ajax supporters, this past season was one of tragedy and unrealized promise. Coming off of a Europa League run that saw Ajax make it to the finals only to lose to ManU, a club whose financial resources dwarf those of Ajax, we thought that the young players who had come through the academy would lead the club forward. Then the unthinkable happened. On July 8 in a friendly against Werder Bremen Appie Nouri collapsed and suffered irreversible brain damage, ending a career that we were all looking forward to. Nothing would ever be the same as a young player in the prime of life was taken from us.
Ajax also had to deal with front office turmoil. Peter Bosz who took the club to the EL finals departed under weird circumstances for Borussia Dortmund (where he didn’t last long). Ajax promoted Marcel Keizer who managed Jong Ajax to a second place finish in the Jupiter League. Because Ajax finished second last season to arch-rival Feyenoord they had to go through the qualification rounds in the Champions League. Ajax drew Nice and after a 1-1 draw with a precious away goal, Ajax spilled it at home conceding a second goal that let Nice advance on away goals. Dropping into the Europa League qualification, Ajax fell to Rosenberg. Ajax also started the season poorly, losing the opener to Heracles and falling into a bigger hole as the season progressed with a draw to ADO, losses to Utrecht, Vitesse, and two draws to now relegated FC Twente (one in the season and the second in the league cup where they went out on penalties). The poor first half resulted in the sacking of Keizer and Utrecht’s Erik ten Hag was brought in to see if he could lead a challenge to PSV. The tactics didn’t appear to be any different in the 2nd half of the season and ultimately Ajax was just not consistent enough and PSV won the league.
Let’s not forget that Sanchez started the season with Ajax but once they were out of the CL, he was sold on to Spurs. Ajax had to deal with some long term injury problems with Sinkgraven out for most of the year, same with Cerny, Viergever for the 2nd half of the season, Dolberg and Frenkie de Jong for about 1/3 of the season and the late knee injury suffered by Veltman that assured he won’t be sold on this summer. In addition, there was the disciplinary situation with Younes who entered the year having been capped by Germany (albeit in the meaningless Confederation’s Cup) and just self-destructed.
Season Player Ratings:
GK
Onana (7) – did an admirable job all season long irrespective of who was playing in front of him. Unfortunately, there is really no capable substitute on the bench. Van Leer who was brought in as the #2 suffered a knee injury and it’s unclear whether he can do the job. Onana is likely to leave this summer and will be missed.
Defenders
Dijks played early on in the season but was not a factor at all once Tagliafico joined the team and as noted
Viergever was hurt before the winter break and never returned. Both players are leaving Ajax.
Tagliafico (7) – he was the LB that needed to join the team last summer but did a very nice job for the 2nd half of the year. He’s a capable defender and a threat going forward. The big question is whether Ajax can keep him if he has a good WC run with Argentina. There is another problem if Argentina have a deep run and play into July. Tagliafico will deserve time off and may not be back in time for the CL qualifying round.
Wöber (5.5) – suffered a couple of minor injuries and missed some matches. In addition he played some LB as well as in the center and looks to be better suited to the latter. He has some promise but maybe he is just an Austrian Viergever, workman like but not top class.
de Ligt (7.5) – best player on the club by far and we have to remember he is only 18 years old. Ajax will be fortunate if he stays for an extra season. He seldom is caught out of positon and is so good on the ball that you think he must be a MF.
Veltman (6) – solid defender who is too slow to play RB but since Ajax had no other viable option that’s where he played.
Kristensen (4.5) – brought in from Denmark at mid-season and only played a half dozen times. Not clear whether he is good enough to play for Ajax.
Frenkie de Jong (6.5) – listed in this category as that’s where ten Hag played him though he was always going forward as a fourth MF when the field was open. A training injury ended his season too early and let’s hope he gets a run out in the MF next season.
MF
Schöne (6) – he really cannot play a full 90 minutes these days and even his free kicks are not what they once were. He always worked hard as the holding MF but his lack of quickness left gaps at times forcing the backline to do more than they should have to. He also sits on the ball too long rather than passing up field. Most of his goals were from free kicks or penalties.
van de Beek (6.5) – a solid first season as a full time player starting 33 of the 34 league matches. He scored some nice goals and was effecting pressing opposing players. He has good ball skills and quickness to progress to a higher level.
Ziyech (6.5) – to inconsistent for me. When he was good he was very good and when he was bad it made me cringe. He always ran hard all match long and even when the ball was lost he tried pressing to get it back. Alas, we thought that he would lead Ajax to a couple of league championships when he moved over from Twente but only saw 2nd place. I wish him well with his next club.
Siem de Jong (5) – first choice to come off the bench since his namesake was being used on the back line. A plodding MF who in his first run at Ajax scored quite a few key goals. Unfortunately he no longer has that ability. This was always a questionable acquisition and there really isn’t a place on the roster for him.
Forwards
Neres (7) – never tries to do too much to force the play when things are closed off which is refreshing since we haven’t had a player like this in some while. He gets my vote as the offensive player of the year and was top leading scorer.
Kluivert (6) – somewhat the opposite player to Neres as he often forces play when the pass back would be a better option. One of the best players at bringing a long ball under control and doing something with it. He always tracks back on defense and presses well. Let’s hope he comes to his senses and stays with Ajax.
Huntelaar (6) – you know you always get 100% and no complaints when he is on the pitch. He’s not the devastating finisher he once was but he still is a reliable scorer when he gets an open shot. Because of the injury to Dolberg he was the top choice for #9
Dolberg (5) – hurt his foot before the winter break and was out most of the 2nd half of the season. It’s still unclear whether he is a top class player and it will be interesting to see if he sees any action for Denmark in the upcoming WC. Right now he doesn’t have much transfer value as he’s not a proven goal scorer.
Prospects
Johnsen, Eiting, Mazraoui, Ekkelenkamp, and Matusiwa all saw action at one point during the season. Mazraoui is the most interesting of the group as it looks like he can play a number of positions and seems to have good field sense. I would like to see him get a better run at RB as the options there are not good. Eiting is player who might make a good holding MF but has to get some first team game time.
2018-19
Ajax has to go through three rounds of CL qualifiers if they are to make it to the group stage with the first games in late July. That’s going to be a tough road and a Europa League spot is more realistic but not a given as we saw this past season. If Ajax can keep Kluivert, de Ligt, and Tagliafico they might have a nice club provided they get a first rate keeper (I assume Onana is gone). Sinkgraven is still only 22 and probably a better MF than a LB but can he stay free of injury? Where will Frenkie de Jong play? Are any of the young MFs ready for first team football? What will Ajax do with the transfer money coming in from Ziyech and Onana (the cynic in me says nothing!!).
Based on the players currently on the squad here is a projected starting 11 for next season:
GK?????
Mazraoui, de Ligt, Wöber, Tagliafico
Schöne/Eiting/Matusiwa, van de Beek, F. de Jong
Neres, Dolberg/Huntelaar, Kluivert
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
That was a good read, thanks.
There’s also the guy we brought in from Mechelen and and the defender from the second division team (Per Schuurs from Fortuna?) joining the squad.
Looking at your projected lineup it looks like defenders and the DM position are going to be problems again. I don’t rate Wöber at all so far and RB is up in the air at least until Veltman is fit. If de Ligt goes it starts to look really grim back there.
There’s also the guy we brought in from Mechelen and and the defender from the second division team (Per Schuurs from Fortuna?) joining the squad.
Looking at your projected lineup it looks like defenders and the DM position are going to be problems again. I don’t rate Wöber at all so far and RB is up in the air at least until Veltman is fit. If de Ligt goes it starts to look really grim back there.
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
We can live without Kluivert. But when de Ligt leaves there will be a huge gap at the back, even if Ajax sign a classy defender from Latin America, there would be a language barrier. And of course DM position, Eiting is good but very inexperienced, Matusiwa as his back up. As for left back position, I agree, Wober is a waste of space, in my opinion Argentina will win the world cup, Tagliafico will need rest, therefore the other option in this position is Bakker, and yes unfortunately, Raiola is his agent and he is entering his final year of his contract, things are looking doom and gloom.
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
Enjoyable read of the season's review from Orange. We must hope that transfers out will happen fast.
Onana Ziyech will go and sounds like Kluivert also. Neres and de Ligt could go and we then need to rebuild.
Defence is a potential nightmare.Tagliafico will come back late from WC and who knows if we get a bid .If Bakker is going to be used we need to have him extend his contract this summer.His contract runs to 2019 and as said Raiola is agent. Wober looks a moderate buy and still think we should have kept Viergever. The 2 new RB 's are no better than Zeefuik or Mazraoui. Schuurs comes in but is only 18 and a Jupiler league player.
A replacement for Ziyech is needed but we have Schone Frenkie deJong v dBeek and the promise of Eiting and Matusiwa .
Upfront , Bande comes in but a new winger for Neres is needed and also another for cover.Johnsen seems to be yet another unimpressed signing.
The quality of our signings is very questionable and we cannot keep on signing moderate players ,mainly foreign ,who are no better than our own .
Onana Ziyech will go and sounds like Kluivert also. Neres and de Ligt could go and we then need to rebuild.
Defence is a potential nightmare.Tagliafico will come back late from WC and who knows if we get a bid .If Bakker is going to be used we need to have him extend his contract this summer.His contract runs to 2019 and as said Raiola is agent. Wober looks a moderate buy and still think we should have kept Viergever. The 2 new RB 's are no better than Zeefuik or Mazraoui. Schuurs comes in but is only 18 and a Jupiler league player.
A replacement for Ziyech is needed but we have Schone Frenkie deJong v dBeek and the promise of Eiting and Matusiwa .
Upfront , Bande comes in but a new winger for Neres is needed and also another for cover.Johnsen seems to be yet another unimpressed signing.
The quality of our signings is very questionable and we cannot keep on signing moderate players ,mainly foreign ,who are no better than our own .
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
If a German side is bidding 28 million Euros for Neres, Ajax should take that money and run, Jahanbaksh of AZ can replace him also Now Lange as back up
Re: 06 May 2018; Excelsior - Ajax; Match Day 34
I didn't mention Schuurs or Bande as I've not seen either play. I confess that I was impressed with Matusiwa yesterday but that was one game in a match that was not meaningful from either side. I haven't seen much of Jong Ajax this season to know whether he can make it. He does have good handling speed and reminds me a little bit of Jordi Classie, the former Feyenoord holding MF.
Appie Nouri will forever be remembered for his grace and humanity on and off the pitch!