Ibrahim Afellay believes that Ajax should do everything to keep Noussair Mazraoui longer at the club, but Theo Janssen thinks otherwise. Afellay is very pleased with the qualities of the defender, who has started the new season with four goals and three assists in nine official matches. “That’s a player who is doing really well at the moment. He was doing well before his injury. It’s a real shame that that boy has been out for so long,” Afellay said on Sunday evening Studio Football.
“If you see what kind of drive that boy is playing with… He fits the puzzle very well. Devyne Rensch has only just arrived, a talent, but you have to wait and see how he will develop in the long term.” Mazraoui recently acknowledged that the financial picture is one of the reasons that he has still not signed up. “If the conditions are right, it’s an agreement, and we’ll be done in no time. But until we get to that point, you just don’t know what the future will bring,” the Moroccan international said. Nevertheless, he certainly has the intention to stay longer in Amsterdam.
Freek Jansen from Football International commented on Sunday evening that the talks between Mazraoui and Ajax were already going well and that Mino Raiola also became his agent. “Marc Overmars and Mino Raiola, that’s water and fire.” In the coming period, Ajax must not only reach an agreement with Mazraoui, but also with André Onana and Ryan Gravenberch. The latter, who has a contract until mid-2023, is also one of Raiola’s clientele.
Afellay thinks that Ajax should pay less attention to the money. “They now have so many millions in income from the Champions League again. If you want to buy another very good Gravenberch or a new right back, you also have to invest millions. Then give those guys some extra salary, then you will have a few top players in your selection in the coming years.” Dusan Tadic is on the payroll of Ajax for approximately four million euros. That’s not the amount Afellay was thinking about for Mazraoui. “’You always have a boss above boss, but I think they can work it out on their own. If you want to get a good player, you have to pay many millions for it. That’s the point I want to make.”
Theo Janssen is less lyrical about Mazraoui’s qualities. “Mazraoui is good, but he’s not that good now. I think he’s a useful player and he’s doing fine, but Rensch can just follow him. I’m convinced he can do it too. If Mazraoui earns a million euros a year, then he should be happy. A right back of Ajax has to squeeze his hands with that amount.”