Marc Overmars is 100 percent behind Ajax’s purchasing policy, despite the criticism of the arrival of Sean Klaiber and Oussama Idrissi, among others. In an extensive interview with The Telegraph Ajax’s director of football affairs explains why the right back and the wing attacker were brought to Amsterdam earlier this season.
“Sean Klaiber is not a bad buy, but he was taken as a backup. We did not need to panic now when Noussair Mazraoui dropped out for a long time”, Overmars explains. “Oussama Idrissi has been brought in as an emergency. David Neres came back from an injury, but if another winger were to drop out, it would cost us points. As a card player you have to keep a strong hand. And that’s the thinking behind such reinforcements. ” Despite the reinforcements, Ajax stranded in the quarter finals of the Europa League after a diptych with AS Roma.
“Nationally we were able to cope with the loss of the experienced axis with André Onana, Daley Blind and Sébastien Haller, but ultimately not in Europe. It was too vulnerable. I am not saying that we should have stopped Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. But with his age and age. experience, he was important to keep things together. He screwed people up when things went wrong. ” Ajax had lost a record amount of 22.5 million euros with Haller. In addition, Ajax is potentially missing out on forty million euros with the transfer-free departure of Brian Brobbey to RB Leipzig.
“Yes, and then you also add André Onana with 35 million euros, which he was worth, while that is now much less. Haha, and place that with a nice cup with chocolate letters above your article”, Overmars responds with a joke. “No, it doesn’t work that way. We became champions because of Haller. The picture is much bigger. In a selection of thirty men, the value of players fluctuates continuously. Rensch delivers much more than a year ago, just as Onana is now yielding less. ”
Trainer Erik ten Hag does not rule out that Ajax will say goodbye to at least two players this summer. “Someone like Nicolás Tagliafico is increasingly reaching an age that you want to take on the next challenge. David Neres doesn’t have to make a step in terms of age, but of course he has been with Ajax for a long time, and I wish him too.” In any case, a reinforcement from an offensive point of view is desirable, according to Ten Hag. “Oussama Idrissi has been hired from Sevilla, so there is also some space in the front on the flanks. The same applies to the forward position due to the departure of Brian Brobbey. Incidentally, we have already recorded the first reinforcement with Remko Pasveer.”