Comments on: Ajax: 106 Mio euros in the bank, but still no title…

By: eric

eric — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:04:18 +0000

I am of opinion that Ajax youth system has been loosing its teeth these past couple seasons. There isn’t anybody that I’d call real promising talents after the last bunch of Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Heitinga, Babel, Huntelaar, Emmanuelson and co. Vertonghen is probably as close as it can get. I like Van der Wiel, but he’s got long way to prove himself. Van Basten assigns him to Right Back, and time will tell if he can thrive here. Siem De Jong is rather average, I am afraid. He’d be a useful team member week in week out, but he lacks technical skills to make it the next level. Further down in pipeline, Sarpong, Donalds and Van der Heijden have shown flashes of what they can do. The real issue about the youth system is that, instead of developing their own, Ajax chooses to invest on youngsters from other clubs, the likes of Suarez, Sulejmani, Aissati, and Sno. Over time, I think Ajax will face with the reality of the inevitable dying of its once famous youth academy.

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:21:19 +0000

Funny Finn… …

There definitely are a couple at Ajax, Carlos. The generation coming after the current U21s apparently is very strong again!

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:35 +0000

hahaha Finn and you thought you were “On a roll”.

Kuyt was again super tireless as was Mascherano. v Persie scored but also missed a couple, played ok though.
Re Ajax – Always been a fan but starting to dislike Marco’s style more and more. We really haven’t seen any great youngsters since Sneijder Vaart Babel era ??? Where are the talented 17 y olds ?

By: finnster01

finnster01 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:49:51 +0000

I forgot to buy toilet paper of all things…and I am not even kidding, so indeed got my arse kicked.

My body feels like Robben’s right now

By: finnster01

finnster01 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:17:51 +0000

Babel was awesome. Kuyt should have scored two more though.

Anyway first win for ‘pool over the arch enemy since 2004.

A little early here in NY, but going to the bar at 7 am to watch soccer is priceless. Especially if your team wins. Now I have to go food shopping for the girlfriend. That will be a huge challenge. I am sure to forget something and get my arse whopped.

By: dave

dave — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:15:32 +0000

Is the main problem for Ajax their failure to properly to spend the money they receive, or is it the lack of talent coming thru their own youth systems? Because they still seem to be quite good at finding young talent developed by others, purchasing that talent just before the player becomes ready for a really big move and reaping millions in the exchange.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:45:56 +0000

Spoiler for Liverpool vs. Man U game:

More tireless running by Kuyt set up Babel for the winning goal. Babel returned the favour to Kuyt, but Sar was able to stop him.

Looking forward to the Arsenal vs. Blackburn game…

By: goose

goose — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:55:15 +0000

@finnster; true, thats the one thing that Cruijff keeps saying .. the youth development system doenst work anymore…but vBasten wants to be the lone leader so nothing is done to fix it

By: finnster01

finnster01 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:13:04 +0000

@goose; As an old time Ajax supporter I totally agree with you. Despite the fairly stats that Jan put up, the reality is that we had 1 or 2 players in the Olympics squad.

Since when did Ajax have so few players in the U21?

I don’t think the development is in good shape at the moment at all. Remember it takes quite a few years to develop the talents, and to be honest I am concerned about the future. And so is JC.

By: goose

goose — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:54:42 +0000

Ajax have lost their soul after the moved to the Amsterdam Arena and went to the stock exchange
they are a ‘cold’ and arrogant club .. its true they have been hit hard by the Bosman courtcase but they forgot they were a football team and now its a mess