Six to ten weeks out, it's projected-knee injury caused in Holland's win on Sat. Tough blow to Ajax's CL hopes.
Doubt it. Ajax has several players that can fit the central midfield role, it just won't be attacking as it would with vdVaart in it. Probably be Galasek (maybe van Halst) in the middle, Maxwell on the left, and on right, vdMeyde? Boukhari? Who knows, Witschge or Winter may get the call.
Sounds like the same line-up they used at the end of the previous campaign with maxwell/new guy on the left wing and van halst at dmid. I believe Galask played attacking mid.
He could play the #10, but he's more likely to be used as a winger. He could be used as the right winger in the 4-3-3, dropping vdMeyde on the right side of midfield. You have: ----Zlatan/Mido----- (Center forward) Sikora------vdMeyde/Jari (Wings) ------Galasek------- (#10) Maxwell-----Right sided MF (midfield) ------------------------ JOB Chivu Pas/Berg Trabelsi -----Steklenberg---- Wamberto and Pienaar are another two names to throw into the mixer.
Yes. Litmanen could very well play in that role. "Coach Ronald Koeman, meanwhile, has two offensive alternatives for the crucial 'number ten' position in the team: South-African supertalent Steven Pienaar and, of course, Jari Litmanen. Replacing Van der Vaart in case of injuries was one of the reasons to invite the 31 year-old Finn 'back home' to Amsterdam." http://www.ajax-usa.com/ajax/news/02-03/0908a.html
Of course it will be Litmanen. Ajax has been playing with one center forward -- Mido or Ibravonich, two wingers in Sykora and Van der Myde and then Van der Vaart playing as an attacking mid or second central forward. For me the best way to describe Ajax's formation is 4-2 (Galasak and Maxwell)-4. In any event, Litmanen slots in for Van der Vaart, which is the best cover imaginable, though Van der Vaart will be missed. Great pickup by Ajax.
That was at the end of last season, when Ajax switched to a 4-4-2 which worked better at that time. This system will probably used again in the CL, where Litmanen will play either as second forward or in midfield. In a 4-3-3 it's certain that Litmanen will take over Van der Vaart's role when he's fully matchfit.
Indeed he did, so why would they suddenly put him on the wing now? If anyone should play for Van Der Vaart, it should be Litmanen...
Litmanen will play centrally, like he did before. why would he place jari out there when koeman already has sikora, and van der meyde. who play the position at the National Team level for the nederlands? Jari doesnt have the pace or fitness level to be as effective as victor and andy.
Liverpool used him as a "free role"/second forward/etc, that's all I was saying. Most likely, yes, he'll be used centrally.