Ajaxtalk

Man I have too be honest...my first thought about all this is that we were fucked for the whole season...but Carcajou and Dws have brought me back to my senses...that is a lot off money and there is still time to buy a replacement...a GOOD one for that matter....and its Van Geel the one behind the wheel...I trust the dude...he has yet to fail us with the signings...even the Rommedahl signing is turning out too be quite a good idea. Something tells me our technical director has an ace under his sleeve....or at least i hope so.......it just seems to crazy to go ahead sell your best player and hope that the youth pans out...i guess we will just have to wait and see how things unfold.

I for one want to hear what Ko thinks about this move...

for now its a matter of wait and hope i guess

I hate real...but i cant hate Wesley just like I hated Juventus but could not hate Zlatan...good luck mate.. and thanks for the good time's and the awesome goals that will surely be missed.....

peace.

This hurts. you broke my heart wesley!!!! We've lost our best player only a week away from the start of the season. and worst of all, to REAL MADRID!! god I hate real.

I think it was only a matter of time that he would go during the summer,just wish it had been sooner.Gutted though.

I already commented on the New Players thread on this, so I won't repeat myself, but I don't think Ajax were that incredible with Wesley, and I don't think they'll turn atrocious without him.

Van Geel has money to invest and they've been studying solutions for a week now.

I know it hurts to lose good players but you can't hold onto them when their minds start to wander, and you need to sell them when they're still worth something.

I'm positive about this in terms of the money we got. I think two weeks is not ideal, but should be long enough to add players to fix the absence.

Finally, thank you Wesley and best wishes for the future.

I'm totally on Manneken Pis' side on this one.

This was gonna happen sooner or later, Ajax surely have successors lined up and 27 million euros is the biggest transfer ever for Ajax. Ajax can't refuse bids like this one. When Zlatan left I was outraged, because the fee was a joke (16 million for Zlatan... should have been 25, at least) and because they sold him hours before the UEFA deadline.

This time, Ajax do have time, and the fee is as high as it should be.

This is a case of 'shit happens'. No-one to blame and Ajax will come up with something, for sure.

(All of the above doesn't mean I'm not sad to see him go, mind you).

Thanks for the years, Wez. It was great to have you and I wish you all the best.

K.

Kowalczyk schreef: This time, Ajax do have time, and the fee is as high as it should be.

K.

how long left before the CL list is closed ?

What a mind-boggling transfer fee. Very well done by Ajax.

If the big boys come knocking with an offer like that...

philippe schreef:

Kowalczyk schreef: This time, Ajax do have time, and the fee is as high as it should be.

K.

how long left before the CL list is closed ?

An earlier quote from "666" on the New Player's thread:

No need to panic:

uefa.com wrote:
17.15
The player lists have to be submitted to UEFA through the national
association by the following fixed deadlines:
a) 10 July 2007 (24.00 CET): for all matches in the first qualifying round;
b) 26 July 2007 (24.00 CET): for all matches in the second qualifying round;
c) 9 August 2007 (24.00 CET): for all matches in the third qualifying round;
d) 1 September 2007 (24.00 CET): for all further matches as from the first
match in the group stage up to and including the final.

17.16
For the three UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, the player lists may be amended at any time until 24.00 CET on the day before the relevant first-leg match, provided that the club’s national association confirms in writing that the new players are eligible to play at domestic level by the respective above-mentioned qualifying date.

so it's about 3 weeks left if we forget about the preliminary round

we'll see

other clubs will know that we are in desperate need of a midfielder : not the best to negociate

Here's the story on Ajax USA...

http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2007-2008/ ... nsfer.html

K.

I was thinking about Van der Vaart and Sneijder... The differences, the similarities, the comparison.

My conclusion: Van der Vaart was a greater talent, but Sneijder is (or will be) a greater player.

I think Van der Vaart is the purest 'artist' of the two. His touch, his intelligence, the way his feet can kiss the ball... He's got everything.

Problem is: Van der Vaart was so insanely talented, and so hyped when he appeared, that he somehow felt it was not necessary for him to work on his shortcomings. And his most important shortcomings were: his defensive qualities (specifically: switching back after losing the ball) and his right foot. He could do absolutely nothing with his right.

Sneijder is not as stylish as Van der Vaart, but he's definitely the more serious pro of the two, probably because he was in Van der Vaart's shadow for a couple of years. Sneijder could sometimes come across as an arrogant little bigmouth, but the truth is that he's always worked to become a better player. He dropped some weight, he did power training, he worked on his tackling, he became a pitbull, he became a player that could tackle and win the ball back, he became a pretty amazing runner and, his most important weapon: from the day he touched a football for the first time he worked non-stop until his left foot was as good as his right.

This attitude and this package of extra qualities that actually required hard work, are the key difference between Van der Vaart and Sneijder.

Defenders simply can't defend Wesley. They can dribble backwards when he's dribbling towards them, but at some point they will have to choose and attack him on one side. Then, he'll cut to his other foot and fire. He can hammer it right into the upper ninety with both feet.

Finally: let's get the number one 'Sneijder myth' out of the way...

His free-kicks were nothing special. They slightly improved last season, but check his goals: he almost never scored directly from a free-kick. Almost all of his tremendous strikes came from field play situations, where he received the ball just outside of the box. Dribble, quick turn, aim and shoot - that's his quality. His set pieces were, in fact, remarkably poor on many occasions (especially his corner kicks and, to a lesser extent, his free kicks).

K.

@ K. : I must say, that i respect your work on ajax-usa. The best site for Ajaciden ever!


What is this talk about VDV coming back? Do you think this is even possible?

K.J. Huntelaar schreef:What is this talk about VDV coming back? Do you think this is even possible?

Oh, no... I'm just comparing them as players. That's what we used to do all the time when they were both at Ajax. I'm basically just comparing the two last super-talented 'numbers 10' from the Ajax youth system.

K.

Valencia say they want van der Vaart

"There is a fair chance that ignorant people will, in a few years' time, say to you that Wesley Sneijder is another 'Ajax talent' who developed into a star after he'd left. Nonsense. Wesley Sneijder was already a superstar when he left. He was in the Ajax-1 squad for four and a half seasons. He was a talent for three, and a superstar for one and a half."
from AjaxUSA

Nicely put Menno. Totally agree. Good luck Wes

Interview in AS:

First, how one is after closing the agreement between Real Madrid and the Ajax and happening to be madridista player?
I am just a little bit nervous and tense because Real Madrid is the greatest club of the world, but after everything has been solved I find very happy. It wanted to be player of Real Madrid and to the aim this desire has become reality.

I suppose that for you you are a dream to be able to play in Real Madrid.
, yes clear. For me to play in this equipment is a dream, of course. Now it is a dream made reality. More cannot be requested.

Sometimes it had thought the fact to be able to play in a club of the importance of Madrid?
No, the truth is that never. It is clear that you cannot know what is going to you to happen in your life, but never think that something can happen you thus. This it is a great moment for me. I am happy.

One feels special with this put t-shirt that as much history represents in the world of soccer?
Sincerely, I do not know the history to me of Real Madrid very well, but I know what means east club and that it is one of the most important clubs of the world and history. The one of Real Madrid it seems to me the prettiest t-shirt in the world with this white color For me will be incredible to play parties with this t-shirt in Santiago Bernabéu Will be huge.

I suppose that there will be been very anxious in these days in which the agreement between Madrid and the Ajax was not reached
Clear. Era of crazy people because 24 million euros are an amount of very important money and I believe that what was making the Ajax was a little strange. I thought that everything was going away to solve in 24 hours to play immediately in Real Madrid the next season. Luckyly, this has finished soon and I am already player of Madrid. It had much confidence in which Madrid and Ajax would reach an agreement. I was sure that she was going to be player of Madrid.

What said you to him to the leaders of the Ajax when they did not let to him file by Madrid because the price of crossing seemed to them insufficient?
That Real Madrid is one of the great equipment of the world and that any player is a dream the power to dress the t-shirt an equipment like this. It wanted that all this finished as rapidly as possible. I was very strong and I said to them that please they let to me go to Real Madrid because she wanted to play with that t-shirt.

Which is its favorite player of the equipment of Schuster?
Of that they are playing now my favorite soccer player is Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He is a great player and a great person.

And of that no longer they are in the club? Which is the player who has called to him plus the attention?
Without a doubt, Zinedine Zidane. Definitively. She is one suffers not to be able to have played with him, but he is that I am very young... (laughter) and he has stopped to play.

What is best and the worse thing of Sneijder like soccer player? Be sincere that soon the followers of Madrid are going it to be able to verify in the Bernabéu
The best thing as player is than I use equal the two legs, that I can beat to him with the two. Frame many goals until the point to arrive at numbers of forward. In the passed League I played 30 parties and I marked 18 goals and that is a good quality that I have and that the trainers usually value much. I hope to such obtain goals with the t-shirt of Real Madrid (laughter). At least, I will try it. I do not know what to say on my better qualities, but I have been five years in the first equipment of the Ajax and now Real Madrid has been interested in me, reason why I believe that I am in a high level like player. I know that I must learn many things and in Real Madrid with those great players safe that I will learn many things.

What means to them to all those followers of Real Madrid who are reading today this interview?
I mean to them that I wanted to play in Real Madrid and that I want to obtain many successes there. I want to show to him all the madridismo who is Sneijder.

You are a player for the level of Madrid?
That said their leaders to me (laughter). That I hope. I believe that the soccer style that has Real Madrid is the best one for my position and my way to play. I believe that Spanish Liga can come to him very well to my soccer.

Mijatovic has said to me on you that you are very good
Mijatovic was a great player and if it says that of one is to be thankful because he knows much of soccer players. I really thank for those words to him.

What can give Sneijder him to Real Madrid?
That is a good question. I do not know it, but what yes he is safe it is that I am going to try to give the best thing of me to try to do to Madrid a little better. Of course that I am very young and that in Real Madrid are great players who I hope that they help me. I hope to show what I am, to try to help Madrid to gain all the titles possible and to be one more of the equipment.

One feels at the moment happy?
I feel very happy, the truth. I suppose that when is in Madrid I am happier. It is logical that now it has been a little nervous by all this situation.

What says to me of the stage Santiago Bernabéu?
I have not played in my life there, but much people have said to me that that stage is magician, spectacular. Not yet I can be thought that that is going to be my house during a good handful of years.

This opportunity could not let it escape, right?
No, it could not let save this opportunity to play in Real Madrid and that went what I said to him to the Ajax: that this type of opportunities happens once in the life and that had to take advantage of it. They are things that not even you can be questioned.

What had happened if the Ajax had not allowed that you fichara by Madrid?
If the Ajax had not let me go to Madrid had had a great problem and already I said it personally to the leaders.

With Real Madrid you already can aspire to the great objective of the white club for this season after obtaining Liga the last year: the Champions
I know it. There I hope to gain the Champions with Real Madrid in my first year. He would be perfect (laughter).

What thinks of Schuster? It has been the one who has requested to him with insistence so that you would fichasen it...
I do not know really how it is Schuster like trainer, but there is this people to me who know him that he is a trainer with a great mentality, Spanish half and German half. He is a technician very organized, but I do not know much how it trains and which is its dynamics of work.

For you Madrid you are the best equipment of the world?
Yes, without a doubt. When I was young and played in the street, all the children we wanted to play in Real Madrid. It was a dream for all. I always have said that she would enchant to me to play in the Bernabéu. It is a very special equipment.

When you are presented/displayed this late in the Bernabéu, About what she is going to think?
I do not know it. After it happens I will be able to say because now it is difficult to say now what can feel at that moment. What I know is that he will be very special. He is a little while very strange for me, but it is necessary to hope.

The last one: dígame a desire for the next days
I have many desires: First it was to be player of Real Madrid and now that everything has been fixed to gain all the titles with this equipment (laughter). The first and most important that it was to be player of Real Madrid already I have obtained it.

Hello everybody!

@Ko: as i "criticised" (it wasn't really,only missing the emotional part of it) your last article about a departing player, namely Babel, i can say only positives on your latest about Wes. Your personal words really made tears out of me!! , and i feel like a little lost, that my favourite player left us, but i knew it must be to happen sooner or later.

All in all , it's a very good article, thank You!! :)

As for Sneijder: Have a good luck in Real Madrid, and also in your life! I will always remember You as an Ajacied, and as a Holland national, please lead Holland to win the EUro 2008 or world cup soon !! :) I think i will like Real again (since I'm Hungarian, i like Real because of Puskás , but it's strange, sometimes i like them, sometimes i don't :) )
Take care little guy:)

We'll need to find a replacement as soon as possible, hope Van Geel knows what to do, and it seems to me , that we will buy a "complete" player, not a talent, but who... ?!



a little off- topic for the end : I've just met Ronald de Boer yesterday in Hungary, and it was a dream came true , since he is my favourite player all-time, and he was nice , we shaked hands, and get an autograph from him, and told me that Frank is working with the very young kids @ Ajax. (didn't know) . I almost got a heartbreak when i first saw him.. and today i get up and see the news, that Sneijder went to Real :(

greetings

Cmon1983 schreef:@Ko: as i "criticised" (it wasn't really,only missing the emotional part of it) your last article about a departing player, namely Babel, i can say only positives on your latest about Wes.

You know, that slightly more business-like tone of voice in the Babel story was a conscious decision. I mean: he's been a starter for Ajax for only one full season and he's only 19 years old. He left Ajax before he had even matured.

That's a completely different story than Sneijder's, who's been a first teamer for four seasons and renewed his deal twice.

I feel much more of a connection with Sneijder than with Babel. Bluntly put: Sneijder was 'our boy', whereas Babel left before he even became one of 'our boys'.

I only get personal (and sometimes a bit emotional) about the players who really had something special with Ajax and the supporters. This says nothing about the players who don't get a 'personal report'; it only says something about the ones who do.

See what I mean?

K.

Does this mean he now has to be put in the 'News on Former Ajax Players' thread?

DanK schreef:"There is a fair chance that ignorant people will, in a few years' time, say to you that Wesley Sneijder is another 'Ajax talent' who developed into a star after he'd left. Nonsense. Wesley Sneijder was already a superstar when he left. He was in the Ajax-1 squad for four and a half seasons. He was a talent for three, and a superstar for one and a half."
from AjaxUSA

Nicely put Menno. Totally agree.

Thanks, mate. It's a phenomenon that can really annoy me. The most famous example is Dennis Bergkamp. People who only follow the Italian and English leagues, and never really pay attention to the Eredivisie for the simple reason that it's a bit 'off their radar', often claim that Bergkamp left Ajax as a promising youngster and that the Ajax fans never saw the best of him.

That is complete and utter bollocks. He was Player of the Year in Holland three seasons in a row and top goalscorer twice (or even thrice, I don't exactly remember) in a row. He won the UEFA Cup with Ajax and I have a DVD full of Bergkamp's goals for Ajax. Dozens of 'em, one even more stunning than the other: backheels, little chips, long lobs, pirouettes. Absolutely breath-taking. The guy was a complete superstar when he left Ajax - and we've enjoyed it to the max for two, three seasons.

Of course there are also players who did leave Ajax as kids, well before they were great. Clarence Seedorf, for example. And more recently Ryan Babel. And Zlatan left Ajax when he had just about matured. His last season was fabulous, but he was injured all the time. We've seen the 'Great Zlatan' for about six months, and then he was gone.

But Bergkamp, Van Basten, Chivu and Sneijder? They were as good for Ajax as they were in their most famous years, except that it happened off many people's radar.

K.

Kowalczyk schreef:

Cmon1983 schreef:@Ko: as i "criticised" (it wasn't really,only missing the emotional part of it) your last article about a departing player, namely Babel, i can say only positives on your latest about Wes.

You know, that slightly more business-like tone of voice in the Babel story was a conscious decision. I mean: he's been a starter for Ajax for only one full season and he's only 19 years old. He left Ajax before he had even matured.

That's a completely different story than Sneijder's, who's been a first teamer for four seasons and renewed his deal twice.

I feel much more of a connection with Sneijder than with Babel. Bluntly put: Sneijder was 'our boy', whereas Babel left before he even became one of 'our boys'.

I only get personal (and sometimes a bit emotional) about the players who really had something special with Ajax and the supporters. This says nothing about the players who don't get a 'personal report'; it only says something about the ones who do.

See what I mean?

K.

Sure, i know what you mean, and i hope you didn't get it as an offense (as i wrote in the babel thread : no offense.. ) , and i understand your view, i just thought, that he played for ajax since he was a little kid, and also, i thought that people, the fans like him ,and that You rated him as a "gem" , but now i understand, and i will accept your decisions, since You're a good writer and me doesn't really, it was just a question, thank you for the answer.
Hope you don't have to write 'personal reports' that much in the near future , i just simply don't want Heitinga, Emmanuelson, Huntelaar to go away that soon..

A sad day with Wes leaving as he was the one player we had left that could turn a game around from nothing. Very hard man to replace, but replace him we will.

He was a great player to watch and one that made you want to get out of bed at a god awful hour to travel to Amsterdam to watch him play. The likes of Chivu, his royal highness VdV, Maxwell and Zlatan in his last season were in the same mould.

I still do wonder what sort of players we have coming through at the age group of 14/15/16 year olds. If it is a great group then why spend absolute fortunes just for the sake of it. In some ways I think that the lack of enormous activity in signing high profile players plus the clear out of guys that were never going to quite make it, makes me think that there must be good prospects coming through.

By Wes, good luck at Real Madrid (why oh why did you have to go to that lump of .....), and thanks for all the pleasure that you have given me over the years.

I'm sorry guys but I just can't bear to let this thread go. Wesley Sneijder was my favorite player for the past two years and now his leaving my favorite team. You know its hard for someone who lives so far way from Amsterdam (I live in Colombia, south america) to really relate to a team like Ajax. I like Ko's words so I'm going to use them, the eredivise is off-radar from a place like this (I bet you know what I'm talking about venezuelan ajacied) and people usullay support the typical european giants. But I always had a special fondness with Ajax and it is the team of my heart. And this love for Ajax grew because of an admiration for the ajax player. The first Ajacied I came to admire was Dennis Bergamp, though he already was an Arsenal player when I first saw him. For some strange reason, (I was a ten year old kid at the time) I fell in love with his original team and not Arsenal. I started to follow Ajax at a very young age because of this and my father, who used to work a lot with dutch business men would travel a lot to the Netherlands and got me my first ajax shirt and a Frank De Boer cap. As i grew older, and since I didn't like to be the weird kid at school who liked Ajax instead of MADRID, I kind of forgot about the team. But after the 2002 campaign I was back with my childhood allegiance to ajax and never left it since. As Zlatan and van der vaart left, wesley became my favorite ajacied. I used to get into long fights with my friends by telling them that one day, he would be the best midfielder in europe. Of course they could'nt undertsand in their "off-radar" minds how a player from ajax could ever be the greatest. But now his in madrid, a team they do understand. and I'm left without my hero. I'm sorry for the extension of this message but I'm kind of REALLY emotional about this. plus Ko's article was beatiful.

LONG LIVE AJAX! Wesley will forever be an Ajacied!!

andy schreef:You know its hard for someone who leaves so far way form Amsterdam (I live in Colombia, south america) to really relate to a team like Ajax. I like Ko's words so I'm going to use them, the eredivise is off-radar from a place like this (I bet you know what I'm talking about venezuelan ajacied) and people usullay support the typical european giants.

Same here, i am from Slovenia and nobody cheers for teams like Ajax. It is either Real or Barca, Milan, Chelsea..



A video which could bring tears in the eyes of some Ajaciden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diUfEdvf-rU

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When is Leonardo coming back? Could he play #10 maybe?

Someone hug me.