Luis Suárez

[jamcocteau]

Dont know where you heard that as talk over here is that he is going nowhere irrespective of the bid, the player himself wants to stay at the club for this season at least and rumours are he has approached board for a contract extension.

[aveslacker]

Dont know where you heard that as talk over here is that he is going nowhere irrespective of the bid, the player himself wants to stay at the club for this season at least and rumours are he has approached board for a contract extension.

If that's true, then I am really impressed. I always thought he played better those few times he had the captaincy last year, and this year it's obviously paid dividends. If a player of that quality truly wants to stay and represent Ajax for a longer period of time then I have a glimmer of hope.

[jamcocteau]

If that's true, then I am really impressed. I always thought he played better those few times he had the captaincy last year, and this year it's obviously paid dividends. If a player of that quality truly wants to stay and represent Ajax for a longer period of time then I have a glimmer of hope.

I believe that he was unhappy with the way KJH left mid season after being awarded the captaincy and didnt think it was decent or correct way to act. Apart from odd bit of trouble on the pitch he appears to have matured into a model prefessional

Probably contract extension rumour is just a renegoatiation of his existing terms IE salary because he will undoubtedly see himself worth more than when he initially joined the club. If I were club directors I would give him what he wants as long as he guarantees to wait at least another season.

[Van basten]

Suarez's prolific ascent
(FIFA.com)


"It doesn't surprise me, because he has what it takes to be a success in La Liga and could easily follow me as a Golden Boot winner. He has to stay at Ajax until the end of the season, though. He's young and he still has some learning to do, and he knows my opinion about that."

That was the response of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan to the rumours linking Luis Suarez with a move to Barcelona, an indication of the high regard in which he holds his young Uruguay team-mate.

The prolific 22-year-old has been doing his level best to justify such lofty expectations, scoring 15 goals in 11 games so far this season, including all his side's goals in a 4-0 win at VVV Venlo in September. Feats such as that have led to the former Nacional prodigy replacing the departed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as the darling of the Amsterdam ArenA. And in Suarez's homeland, his stock is equally high.


There's no doubt it's a big responsibility to inherit the armband at such a prestigious club, but I'll try and do the best I can.
Luis Suarez on being named Ajax captain


"Nobody could understand it when Groningen picked him up for such a small fee [less than €1m]," a reporter from Uruguayan daily Diario Deportivo told FIFA.com. "The kid had just had a fantastic season, winning the championship at the age of 18 and scoring over ten goals. Over here he was seen as a star, as a player of immense promise. He handled his departure well, though. He has made some good choices since then and he's shown just what he can do."

Indeed, Suarez's Eredivisie performances have been so persuasive that Ajax have handed him the team captaincy. "If the bosses have turned to me to fill the skipper's role, then it must mean they think I can do the job," the player said following his close-season promotion. "There's no doubt it's a big responsibility to inherit the armband at such a prestigious club, but I'll try and do the best I can. I'm so happy about this."

The smiling bad boy
"Luis is the epitome of happiness out on the football pitch," said Ajax team-mate Urby Emanuelson last season, confirming Suarez's reputation as someone who likes to play the game with a smile on his face.

The only downside to his Dutch adventure has been a tendency to incur the wrath of officials. Last term, the Charrúa striker picked up 13 cards in all competitions - more than any other forward in the Netherlands - a record that had the country's many footballing purists shaking their heads in disapproval.

"He was the same when he was a young lad at Nacional," continued the Uruguayan correspondent. "He always defended like a madman, in a style you'd normally associate with Argentinian forwards, not Uruguayan ones. He could be a little clumsy in his tackling but the fact is he hates losing. He is much more of a team player than Forlan, though. He makes a lot more assists and he works really hard to close down the opposition's midfielders."

Athletically built, Suarez has channelled his distinctively Uruguayan grit and determination to great effect since arriving in the Dutch capital. Signed in the summer of 2007 for €8m, he hit 20 goals in 40 league and cup appearances in his first season and followed up with 22 goals in the Eredivisie alone in 2008/09.

Much questioned by the local media after signing on the dotted line for Ajax, Suarez soon won over the sceptics with his all-action displays. And since then his reputation has grown to such an extent that Atletico Madrid and AC Milan have reportedly joined Barcelona in the chase for his signature.

In a recent interview with Dutch national newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ajax general director Rik van den Boog said they would be willing to let the talented striker go in January if the right offer came in. "It's a decision that has to be made in conjunction with the coaching staff, but we are not ready to sit down and talk with clubs just yet. If the money's right, it could be very interesting for us."

Wherever he plays his club football next year, Suarez is determined to represent his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. To fulfil that boyhood dream, however, he and his international team-mates first have to dispose of play-off opponents Costa Rica, who boast Twente goal-getter Brian Ruiz in their ranks.

The men in sky blue have already had one bite of the cherry. Needing to beat Diego Maradona's Argentina in their final qualifier to claim an automatic spot at the world finals, Uruguay fell to a 1-0 defeat despite Suarez's pre-match prediction of victory. Having been given a second opportunity against Los Ticos, the Ajax predator will no doubt be keen to leave his talking for the pitch this time.

[Van basten]

http://community.footballpools.com/blog ... yan-babel/

I think it would be very good, if we could get Babel as a replacement for Suarez.

[Orange14]

http://community.footballpools.com/blog ... yan-babel/

I think it would be very good, if we could get Babel as a replacement for Suarez.

Why? He has done absolutely nothing at Liverpool despite being given a chance and his play for the Oranje NT has been very poor. This would be a bad move and Liverpool are in no position financially to give us the difference between Suarez's market value (€28-30 million) and Babel's (€1-2 million at best given his play). the only thing I would settle for is a Suarez for Torres swap but you know that won't happen.

[Van basten]

http://community.footballpools.com/blog ... yan-babel/

I think it would be very good, if we could get Babel as a replacement for Suarez.

Why? He has done absolutely nothing at Liverpool despite being given a chance and his play for the Oranje NT has been very poor. This would be a bad move and Liverpool are in no position financially to give us the difference between Suarez's market value (€28-30 million) and Babel's (€1-2 million at best given his play). the only thing I would settle for is a Suarez for Torres swap but you know that won't happen.

I'm not sure that Rafa gave him a decent chance. He is still just 22, and i really think, that he could properly replace Luis.

[SPL]

I notice tonight he played left side of midfield. He may be earning a fortune at liverpool but they have completely screwed his career up. A great advert for not leaving Ajax too soon .

[SE6Ajacied]

http://community.footballpools.com/blog ... yan-babel/

I think it would be very good, if we could get Babel as a replacement for Suarez.

Thanks, but no thanks. Ryan's a good player, but was no-where near as good as Luis is now when he left, let alone now - and they're both the same age.....

[Van basten]

I notice tonight he played left side of midfield. He may be earning a fortune at liverpool but they have completely screwed his career up. A great advert for not leaving Ajax too soon .

The fact, that Rafa so often played him in positions (LM, RM) that he never played before coming to Liverpool, sure didn't helped hip to show his potential.

[Van basten]

http://community.footballpools.com/blog ... yan-babel/

I think it would be very good, if we could get Babel as a replacement for Suarez.

Thanks, but no thanks. Ryan's a good player, but was no-where near as good as Luis is now when he left, let alone now - and they're both the same age.....

If we sell Suarez, we'll get 25-30m. We could buy Babel for 5-10m, that still leaves us with 20m, which we can spend on another striker if you want. And Babel can play as central forward and also as a left or right winger.

[SPL]

today's rumour is that Man U will bid for him in the winter break and that Ajax want £35 ie 40m euros.
Leaving aside whether Man U 700m in the red should be allowed to buy players no way should Ajax
do what they did last winter and sell their goal machine. Last winter selling KJH cost us 2nd place and CL
footy and if we sell this winter it will be the same . It is a3way battle with Twente and PSV and if he stays we will finish in the top 2.

Ajax need to say to him Man u or Barca will still be around in the summer , we will get our 40m euros then plus we will have finished in the top 2 and be in the CL where we will make millions (provided we get through the qualifying round!!)

[Kowalczyk]

To those who fear that Suárez may be suspended for allegedly elbowing Feyenoord's Babovic in yesterday's game: no need to worry, he can not be punished, for the simple reason that referee Blom stated after the game that he noticed it, but did not think it was an intentional hit with the elbow. Players can only be suspended based on TV footage if the foul went unnoticed.

K.

[SPL]

I see headlines today about selling Suarez due to our finances being poor. Hopefully the club will have the sense to realise 2 years without CL footy has cost us millions and if we are to finish in the top 2 this season then Suarez has to stay until the end of the season.2nd place does mean qualifiers but we cannot afford to finish 3rd again.

[Cedric]

Everyone at Ajax is now denying this Johan Derksen's bullshit.
Unless VI hired a new hacker, I prefer to believe the club's version that they want him to stay. It makes more sense at least...

[Orange14]

Everyone at Ajax is now denying this Johan Derksen's bullshit.
Unless VI hired a new hacker, I prefer to believe the club's version that they want him to stay. It makes more sense at least...

Yeah, this was posted on the Big Soccer board as well. It was mentioned that Ajax have over 70 players under contract (probably true given all the youth players who have short term contracts) and have spent over €150 million in transfer fees only receiving €100 million in return (KJH, Sneijder, Babel, Heitinga, etc.). The numbers don't add up to me.

I know we have about 30 or so senior players under contract but don't know the total player salary for the squad. I suspect the whole VI story lacks some semblance of truth.

[SPL]

We have 30 1st teamers and 18 reserves plus 7 on loan (that we are paying all or some of their wages )so thats 55 . Also known youths under contract 15 , ie 70 under contract . ( I did read the figure 74 the other week so some more of our B1 may be included ie Bouy and Sporkslede were to be offered contracts once 16)

If Ajax need some extra money in the winter I suggest they get rid of about 8 of the first team squad and let about 4 or 5 reserves go . that would save plenty of wages and we would not need to consider selling Suarez at least to the summer.

[Cedric]

I know we have about 30 or so senior players under contract but don't know the total player salary for the squad. I suspect the whole VI story lacks some semblance of truth.

Last season players received 28.9 millions € and staff 6.9 millions (bonus included, I think, that's worth 4.2 million).
What's true is that Ajax is not in great shape financially, but everyone can check the figures (for last season at least) so no scoop here. But I think Ajax can wait until the World Cup to sell Suarez without "doing a Scheringa"... Ajax is not yet RKC (or Feyenoord )

[Kowalczyk]

I see headlines today about selling Suarez due to our finances being poor.

I can guarantee you that's complete and utter bollocks. Don't worry.

K.

[SPL]

Did assume the story was crap.

[Orange14]

Nice piece on Luis at the UEFA Site: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacu ... 14661.html In particular see the final quote.

[souras84]

I see headlines today about selling Suarez due to our finances being poor.

I can guarantee you that's complete and utter bollocks. Don't worry.

K.

So, what part is crap? The selling part or the financial problem?

[SPL]

I believe the article said we are in financial difficulties and would need to sell Suarez in Jan or get a loan.
At least that is what Goal.com quoted!!!

If we need some money then we could off load about 10 pros as I have already said.We could also have more faith in trying our own instead of wasting money on crap buys. After all we are not doing too bad this season with 6 regulars from our academy playing!!

[Cedric]

If we need some money then we could off load about 10 pros as I have already said.

How do you do that?

[SPL]

Easier said than done but we have to get rid of some players in January and not just on loan where we end up paying the wages still.