Maarten Stekelenburg will have to deal with considerable competition from Remko Pasveer at Ajax, Frans Hoek and Ronald Waterreus expect. Pasveer, who came over from Vitesse transfer-free, shows in the preparation that he wants to become the first goalkeeper with the reigning national champion. Hoek, former goalkeeper coach of Ajax and the Dutch national team, among others, emphasizes that it is by no means certain that Stekelenburg will defend Ajax’s goal next season.
“But Maarten has a small lead, because he did well last season as a replacement for André Onana. But it is really not just said that he is the number one,” Hoek emphasizes on Monday in conversation with the General Newspaper. “Remko is an all-round keeper, can look back on an excellent year at Vitesse and is a real leader. He has the potential to become the first goalkeeper at Ajax. I really believe that.”
Like Hoek, Waterreus understands why Ajax ended up at Pasveer, but expects that Stekelenburg will eventually have an advantage over trainer Erik ten Hag. “Apart from the European Championship, Stekelenburg has just done well in recent months,” the former goalkeeper of PSV and the Dutch national team told the newspaper. “It therefore seems to me no discussion that he starts the season as number one.”
“On the other hand, it is questionable whether Stekelenburg, who has hardly played for years in a row, will remain fit for an entire season. With Pasveer, Ajax then has a substitute who stands there effortlessly. Also in the Champions League, if necessary. I think it’s a very smart move by Ajax that they got him.” The valid question is whether it is not an offer of weakness from Ajax that the club attracts a 37-year-old goalkeeper and cannot train a capable closing post itself. “I don’t think you should put too much emphasis on the age of goalkeepers. Remko is very fit and even seems to be getting better.”
“And don’t forget that Ajax also has a young and talented goalkeeper in Jay Gorter”, Hoek refers to the keeper who came over from Go Ahead Eagles. Onana also still belongs to the goalkeepers guild of Ajax. Olympique Lyon has concrete interest in the Cameroonian international, but does not want to go further than five million euros for the time being. Ajax, on the other hand, uses an asking price of at least ten million euros.