Ajax is navigating a period of significant challenges, both on and off the pitch. The club received a boost with a visit from technical director Jordi Cruijff to Jong Ajax following their victory, but that positive moment is overshadowed by a devastating injury to new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko and concerns about the development of Dutch talent within the academy.
The Ukrainian left-back, who recently underwent knee surgery, shared a message of frustration and determination on Instagram, posting a photo from his hospital bed with the caption, “Difficult times ahead.” , coach Fred Grim confirmed that Zinchenko has said his goodbyes to the team, expressing deep regret over the injury and its impact on Ajax’s season. “He feels really guilty about this injury and it’s tough for him. He said goodbye yesterday, and it was an emotional moment,” Grim stated. Zinchenko’s rehabilitation will take place outside of Amsterdam, as the club aims to provide him with the support he needs during his recovery.
The injury effectively ends Zinchenko’s short stint with Ajax, having arrived on loan from Arsenal with hopes of regaining form and securing a place in Ukraine’s squad for this summer’s tournament. Reports indicate the transfer has effectively ended after just two minutes of play on his debut. The financial implications for Ajax are also noteworthy, as the club is still obligated to fulfill the terms of the deal despite Zinchenko’s absence.
Amidst the disappointment surrounding Zinchenko’s injury, there was a moment of encouragement as Jordi Cruijff, along with incoming commissioner Edo Ophof, made a surprise visit to the Jong Ajax dressing room after their 1-0 win over league leaders FC Dordrecht. Cruijff’s presence was intended to congratulate the young players on their impressive victory, which ended Dordrecht’s five-match winning streak. The gesture underscores the club’s commitment to developing talent from within.
However, concerns remain about the lack of Dutch players progressing through the Ajax academy. Former Ajax player Wim Kieft highlighted this issue, noting that several promising talents – Mika Godts, Rayane Bounida, and Jorthy Mokio – hold Belgian nationality. While players like Youri Baas show potential, Kieft believes they are not yet ready for the national team. He expressed broader concerns about the competitiveness of Dutch football, suggesting that Portugal has surpassed the Netherlands and Belgium is quickly closing the gap.
Elsewhere, former Ajax player Jan Vertonghen faced a personal challenge, overcoming his fear of heights while visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The lighthearted moment provided a brief respite from the more serious matters surrounding the club.
On the administrative side, Ajax has streamlined its ticket resale process, integrating it into the main ticket shop on ajax.nl/tickets. This change aims to provide supporters with a more user-friendly experience when purchasing tickets.
Looking ahead, Ajax is preparing for a crucial match against NEC on . Coach Fred Grim will hold a press conference on to discuss team preparations and provide updates on player fitness. The match is particularly important as both teams are level on points in the Eredivisie standings, with NEC currently holding the advantage on goal difference.
Former Ajax player Henk Spaan has praised the performance of Ahmetcan Kaplan, currently on loan at NEC, in his column for Het Parool. Spaan noted Kaplan’s impressive form and questioned whether Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff was observing his progress. Meanwhile, Valentijn Driessen has been critical of Owen Wijndal’s performances, suggesting that the left-back has not lived up to expectations since joining Ajax in .
Maher Carrizo, the Argentinian winter signing, has finally received his work permit and joined the first-team training session on . He is expected to initially feature for Jong Ajax, with opportunities to prove himself with the senior squad.
Finally, Mika Godts has been recognized as the Eredivisie Player of the Week by Voetbal International, following his impressive performance against Fortuna Sittard, where he scored twice and provided an assist. Spaan also highlighted the potential of Bendegúz Kovács, who recently departed for AZ and has been making a strong impression in the Dutch second tier.
