In the winter transfer period, Ajax will be looking for a ‘number 6’ who, as a leader, can provide balance in midfield. Tim van Duijn reports this in an extensive analysis of Football International. In his article, the journalist mentions the names of four players, not everyone of whom is a concrete or realistic option. “Finding the ideal number 6 for this Ajax seems easier said than done for the time being.”
According to Van Duijn, people in Amsterdam now know why things are not going well. “Ajax sees adding balance to midfield as the key to solving that problem.” The departure of an absolute strongman has not yet been absorbed, according to the journalist. “Benjamin Tahirovic and Sivert Mannsverk were also unable to fill Edson Álvarez’s legacy for various reasons.”
In addition, Ajax wants to add real leaders to the selection. “Dusan Tadic was the embodiment of an absolute leader, someone who kept a close eye on discipline and did not accept it when the players loosened the reins.” Daley Blind (Girona FC) is also mentioned as an example from the recent past. “After his departure from Bayern Munich, Blind was offered to Ajax, but the club decided against it.” A return therefore does not appear to be in the pipeline.
Van Duijn mentions the Dutch Azor Matusiwa (Stade Reims) as the type of player Ajax is looking for. “Ajax inquired about Azor Matusiwa (25) himself last summer, but that never became concrete. The question is whether he is feasible now, if the player is already interested in a winter transfer. His contract runs until 2027. Ajax is identifying several options.”
The next name that Van Duijn mentions as an example is that of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur). “The Danish midfielder (28) was already in the picture in 2020, but then chose Tottenham Hotspur, where he now barely plays a significant role. He seems too expensive for Ajax at the moment.” Højbjerg is still in London until mid-2025 and is according to… Transfer market worth no less than 32 million euros.
Finally, Van Duijn also writes about veteran Donny van de Beek (Manchester United). “Van de Beek is not top fit after persistent injuries and a lack of match rhythm, while Ajax is betting on players who can be there right away. In addition, he is an attacking midfielder, instead of the controller that is so urgently needed. Whether Van de Beek himself wants to return to Amsterdam remains to be seen and will depend on the other options. At the same time, Ajax will always want to welcome a player like Van de Beek, because in addition to quality and experience, he is also well liked by the public.”
Enough leaders
While Ajax is busy looking for a leader, the players themselves do not seem to be aware of the lack within the Amsterdam selection. For example, Kenneth Taylor said this week that he was satisfied with the number of leaders in John van ‘t Schip’s group. In conversation with Football Internationaljournalist Lentin Goodijk, Taylor spoke about the issue from Sweden.
“Bergwijn, our captain, is a leader anyway, but we have more. Steven Berghuis is a real leader, also off the field,” said Taylor. “How he helps the young and new players. We still have Remko Pasveer, Gerónimo Rulli, we really have enough.”