Ajax’s hope of defending the Eredivisie title next year looks excessively bright for the moment.
Almost all of Ajax first team members are staying in Amsterdam, including the manager, Ronald Koeman. This is certainly good news by any standard. About less than a year ago, I was expecting some of players in Ajax to move to any bigger club due to Ajax’s success in the Champions League for the past two seasons. Ibrahimovic’s impressive performance in the last Euro also made me think that would be gone before the season starts anew.
On summer transfer, Marseille has been cited to show interest in Ibrahimovic. Marseille currently has a huge sum of money due to the sale of Didier Drogba to Chelsea. Therefore, Marseille certainly can afford to pay Ajax’s asking price. However, if he was to move, I doubt it will be Marseille. Thus, a possibility of Ibrahimovic playing in France is near to nil.
Trabelsi, the black sheep of Ajax is said to have struck an agreement with Arsenal. Once linked with Manchester United, the player has problem with Ajax and has been removed from the first team since last year. The sale of Trabelsi is ultimately good despite the fact that Ajax could use him. Skysports has more.
Rafael van der Vaart is staying for at least another season or two. That is for sure.
Johnny Heitinga, the one that received a red card during a the Netherlands – Czech Republic Euro 2004 match, has said that he is ready for the big arena in the Serie A. I vehemently disagree with him. Last season, he spent most of the time on the bench because he had a terrible injury. Despite of his placing in de Oranje, compared to his teammates, he has only played a few league games. He should stay at Ajax simply because he needs more experience, especially with the Champions League.
Ajax’s greatest loss is probably due to the changes in coaching staff. The legendary Macro van Basten and John van’t Schip has been brought to manage de Oranje as Dick Advocaat resigns from the national team.
Again, all this are but anything. It does not affect Ajax, or at least it does not weaken Ajax in any whatsoever way.
On new players, I have not heard anything new. De Ridder, coming out from Jong Ajax is still hot. But, something is coming out from Argentina. It is Carlos Tevez. It is just rumor. Nothing official yet.
But the best thing is, those bastards, PSV and Feyenoord, the other two of the Eredivisie’s Big Three are significantly being stripped off of their influential players.
PSV sold Kezman and Robben to Chelsea. Chelsea, already loaded superstars, will be almost invincible with the prolific Kezman upfront and the amazing Robben in the wing. I dare bet that Chelsea will capitalize on the English Premier League. Manchester United dominance is wading fast.
The bloody Rommedahl is heading to Charlton and Hofland is crossing the German border to Wolfsburg. It has been rumored that even Waterreus is going out of PSV.
There are a few players coming into PSV. The most notable is Philip Cocu. Yes, that Cocu. Nevertheless, I do not think Ajax has anything to worry about with what is happening in Eindhoven.
Feyenoord is doing even worse. Van Persie is gone to Arsenal. Some other players like De Nooijer are also leaving the Rotterdammer. Even Shinji Ono has expressed his intention of leaving Rotterdam behind for Spain. In short, with an already weakened team, Feyenoord will struggle to get hold on the third place just like it did last season.
Ah. What a season next year will be. The prospect is marvelous. The only worry is probably the Champions League. I hope those lads will get at least to the quarterfinal next year.
p/s – Ajax is having a friendly today against Queens Park Rangers.
pp/s – Ajax defeated QPR by one goal.
