I would much rather Ajax sign him than one of those teams. I think he could be a good fit for Ajax, and as a USMNT fan, I think he's much better off at an Eredivisie club then at a club that has pretensions at winning Serie A or the Bundesliga. Unless you're a prodigy, going to a club like that can be really hazardous to your development.
Agree on Onana. I read somewhere that he said he is willing to re-sign with Ajax. I'd be fine with that, even if it's just so that the club can get a bigger fee when they sell him next summer.
It's been reported that a "big club" was in Vancouver on Saturday to watch Ricardo PepiI can confirm that club was Ajax and that they met with the player's representatives 🇳🇱 #USMNT #DTID #AjaxUpdated report for @90min_Football 👇https://t.co/XaqmUmMr9C— Chris Smith (@Chris_SXI) September 27, 2021
I have a scheduled meeting and will miss the first half of today's game. It's my own fault as I didn't block off the time on my calendar so that a meeting could not be scheduled. I did not know that Ajax would play in the early match. I'll post on the match sometime tonight.
It was pretty much one-way traffic. Ajax did get a bit lucky to have a goal disallowed, it looked shoulder to shoulder to me
I just finished watching the replay. Ajax put on a clinic on how to run a high press game. Other than the two decent chances Besiktas had in each half they really never threatened, often surrendering possession in their own defensive half. Ajax were wasteful in front of goal and one of these days that will come back to bite them. Great teams are ruthless and this team is not yet at that level. Dortmund should provide a stern test for this club. EtH is molding a fine team here. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6) - really had little to do and he couldn't do much on the two chances Besiktas had Blind (7) - interesting how he moves all around his half of the pitch, sometimes he is out wide like a traditional FB and then he will be more towards the center of pitch Martinez (7.5) - really sound match Timber (7.5) - equal to Martinez Mazraoui (7) - did not have much defending to do and wasn't the threat to score as he was at the weekend Alvarez (7.5) - again he was winning almost every duel and had consecutive headed clearances from the penalty area on free kicks Gravenberch (8) - I thought this was a fine match from him, he was solid on the ball and created a couple of shots out of almost nothing Berghuis (7.5) - has displaced Klaassen from the lineup and is a much needed creative force who can also score Tadic (7) - decent game from the Captain Haller (6.5) - would have liked to see him score rather than heading the ball over the cross bar Antony (6.5) - good possessions but the crosses were just a bit off Neres (NR) - on for Antony but had little impact Klaassen (NR) - on for Berghuis but as with Neres did not do much Utrecht coming up on the weekend and then another stupid FIFA break which will cause havoc for EtH. It is unlikely he will have Martinez, Tagliafico, Antony and Alvarez for the Heerenveen match because of travel back from their NT games.
Turkish media impressed with Ajax https://www.ad.nl/dossier-ajax-in-c...etbal-ajax-is-bijna-perfecte-ploeg~a49b62392/
Yeah caught the second SF. That was mind blowing. Have to say he should be tracked now. My eye was only on one guy. Berghuis.
The irony of it is that we were beaten by our ex Jong Ajax players Q. Timber (assist) and Warmerdam (goal scorer). Anyway we didn't deserve any better.
Ajax had the better play on the day but one error led to a 4 on 2 break by Utrecht and a well taken goal from Warmerdam that sealed the points for the visitors. The last 12 minutes plus stoppage time following the goal saw Ajax in a bit of panic mode trying to get the tying goal but it wasn't to come. Ajax had enough good chances to score but some good goal keeping and two poor shots that should have been scores saw the home team blanked. There were some very poor performances that you can see reflected in the ratings: Pasveer (6.5) - had almost nothing to do but he came out quickly to intercept what might have been a man in on goal Tagliafico (5) - average and nothing more Martinez (6.5) - looked frustrated when he had the ball with few passing options Timber (6.5) - reunited with his twin and that was the highlight of the match for him Mazraoui (6) - had some good interplay with the winger on his side but nothing much came of it Alvarez (7) - probably the best player on the pitch winning every duel and passing well Gravenberch (4.5) - exceptionally poor and a weak back pass was inexcusable, appropriately subbed off Berghuis (5.5) - found everything in the middle clogged with Utrecht players Tadic (5.5) - sadly he could rarely beat any defender on the day Haller (4.5) - honestly should have scored in the first half rather than seeing the ball sail over the crossbar Neres (5) - had a couple of good moves on offense but that was it; I think his transfer value is very low right now Klaassen (5.5) - had a chance to score but the ball was not optimally placed for him Antony (6) - had some good crosses and was far better than Neres Blind (5.5) - OK in his sub roll but as with others could not impact the game Daramy (5.5) - very lively on the left wing but couldn't get a shot off when it was needed; he really should get a start to give Tadic some rest but that won't happen Danilo (NR) - on late in desperation time Off for the WC qualifying break and then face Heerenveen without Antony, Alvarez, Tagliafico and Martinez who won't make it back in time for training prior to the match
Did ajax make a mistake letting the other timber brother leave. he was a good impact of the bench. workrate was excellent as well..
No he wanted to leave. He did not see a path forward to the first team as the MF is too crowded. The most comparable player to him is Kenneth Taylor and Taylor is much better. Also Youri Reeger will likely move up pretty quickly and is two years younger than Timber.
I just watched the highlights from yesterday's match. One of the key problems regarding playing a high press is that if you don't win the ball, the other team can counter if they are alert. Timber was past the halfway line when he lost the duel and Utrecht recovered the ball and quickly headed up field. Only Mazraoui and Martinez were deep enough to defend. Mazraoui did enough in defending two men and took part of the angle away from Warmerdam when the pass came over. Pasveer was too slow in reacting to the shot which I think was savable. If Ajax are not going to use Onana, they need to give Gorter some matches. He is with Jong Oranje during the International break but I don't know if he will be favored over Scherpen as first choice keeper.
Saw the Utrecht match and I was far from impressed by Gravenberch who I’ve noticed on occasion appears lazy. Van Basten recently ripped him too for a bad mentality for whatever it’s worth. He needs to pick it up regardless. Neres is a waste and needs to go. Despite this off day Ajax can have a big season but are extremely shaky in goal. Pasaveer is crap and truthfully out of his depth playing in big matches.
Stek out for the season: https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/737410978/klap-voor-ajax-einde-seizoen-maarten-stekelenburg
YIKES!!! We have one antique GK and a bunch of youth GKs. I wonder if they will play Onana despite the lack of a new contract.
Just please play Onana. I don't care he's leaving. This team has a chance to make a long CL run. The one, giant glaring hole is GK: Pasveer is not good enough. They played Brobbey last year when he was gone. Maz hasn't signed an extension yet. Both sides should swallow their pride and do what is best for Ajax in 21/22.
Disagree on Gravenbersch just overall. I don't think he was great on Sunday but many times he is a one man midfield. To ask a 19-year old to do that every match is a lot. This is why I'm not the biggest Alvarez fan: he just doesn't offer much going forward or passing wise. It puts tons of pressure on Ryan. Since '19, the injuries and lack of move I think have torpedoed Neres' career. He doesn't seem engaged at all. He's regressed. Sad to see because at one point he was playing for the Brazil NT and looked like he was going to be a top winger in the world.