That's what Dutch footballmagazine Voetbal International in their edition of this week. They're normally reliable and for most clubs april 1st is the date they want everything done with the contracts for the next season, so... I always liked John, a nice guy he is [result]especially for an American. Just testing the new spoilercodes [/result], but I think his at Ajax has come to an end.
I know a lot of the people on these boards like to slam the dutch league, but I would love to see JOB stay at Ajax. Refusing to debate whether player x is better off in league y or 2nd tier league z, IMO Ajax is quality and there is still much to accomplish there. So, he won't make as much money there as elsewhere -- anywhere he goes other than a top 10-15 European team is at least one step down. This would've been taken care of long ago, if he ever had one, full healthy season. It is a pretty sad situation, really.
Well hes ben there for a long long time so perhps its time. Most of the guys he was a youth player with at Ajax have long since moved on to other clubs.
I would also like to see JOB stay at Ajax for one more season. I think he should sign a 1 year extension. I would love to see what he can accomplish if he has one healthy season at Ajax. Then maybe after 2005 he can sign w/ another top Euro club and he'll get a maxium deal. Sadly, because of injuries he'll be a a bargain price, comparatively speaking.
Why does everyone seem so sad? He's spent most of his football life in Amsterdam and this might just be an even better opportunity for him. Perhaps he'll fit in nicely with an even more ambitious club...
I will resist. I will resist... I think the real drag here is simply the timing. If this were a few months ago when JOB were playing, rather than being back on the (seemingly perpetual) mend, he would have a better chance of going somewhere interesting. You rarely are negotiating from a place of strength when you're sitting on the trainer's bench. That said, there are at least a dozen Dutch teams that could use JOB right now - but none that will be as fun to play for as Ajax.
I love JOB but if I were Ajax I wouldn't resign him. He is to Ajax what Darren Anderton is to Spurs. How do you say Sicknote in Dutch?
Any idea what JOB's salary is? Not getting a new contract would mean he's a free transfer, correct? Maybe he'd like to come home....the Galaxy midfield sure could use him.
If he moves, I hope he moves somewhere where he'll get the chance to play center-mid (a-mid or d=mid). He's said that that's his preferred position, and it's not one that he's likely to see any time at with Ajax. So a move to the right club might open up this opportunity for him.
Italy Remember that Bologna was showing significant interest in him during the World Cup. Of course that was nearly two years ago, but perhaps they haven't forgotten him.
It wasn't a "totally healthy" season but he was fourth in games played for Ajax the year before the WC.
Maybe I'll get my wish and he'll move to Feyenoord and play central midfield. Feyenoord needs a guy like him, they like him, and want to find someone like him - so why not him?
The most ominous question here: Have they reviewed his medical records and figured he's just never going to last a full season? I'm just thankful he managed to stay healthy for the World Cup run.