Alex Mendez @ FC Vizela

Glad to see Mr. Mendez get a run of starts. Maybe he will make it there and maybe he won't (odds are never on a youth players side) but Jong Ajax spots and development minutes are still a valuable commodity, so that's a good sign.

 

can we glean via the lineup if he is starting more centrally?

 

The lineup I see puts Mendez squarely in the middle of a 4-3-3.

Q Timber Brobbey Danilo up front

Taylor Mendez Heide in midfield.

 

Three of Jong Ajax's best midfielders (Ekkelenkamp, Gravenberch, and Eitling) all played with Ajax's first team last weekend. Gravenberch started and scored, Ekkelenkamp came off the bench with an assist, and Eitling played 25 minutes. None of them are in the Jong Ajax squad today.

If those 3 are going to feature regularly for Ajax's first team, Mendez should get plenty of minutes for Jong Ajax. Now it's a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities.

 

We've (sort of) been discussing this concept up-thread, because Ajax does this so well and so fluidly - almost like a varsity/JV program sharing players.

 

Just reached HT, 0-1 Jong Ajax (Danilo @ 45 + 1') Assist: A Mendez.

 

Here is the assist:

@AjaxYA pic.twitter.com/1MlzJRAhmC

— AjaxYA_2 📼 (@AjaxYA_2) January 24, 2020

 

makes up for a sublime pass that the would be scorer flubbed i guess

 

Finished 3-3. Mendez went the full distance, so an encouraging run out, even if the final result was disappointing (after leading 1-3 late in the game).

 

Well, NEC arenot a joke and churn out exceptional attacking talents.
It's surprising the YAjax took such a lead in the first place.

 

Twitter GIF thread:

very encouraging performance from Alex Mendez yesterday in a 3-3 draw against a lineup of mostly adults for NEC Nijmegen -- his best Jong Ajax match yet

credited with an assist on the 1st goal, contributed to buildup on the 2nd goal https://t.co/GQocrxdLn4

— scuffed (@scuffedpod) January 25, 2020

 

Don't get excited - we don't play again until Monday.

Now looking at February

- Ajax {1st place} 7 games (8 including 3/1 v AZ Alkmaar)
- Jong Ajax {2nd place} 5 games:

Su 2/2 Ajax v PSV {5th}

Mo 2/3 Jong Ajax v Go Ahead Eagles {5th}

Su 2/9 Utrecht {7th} v Ajax

Mo 2/10 Jong Utrecht {11th} v Jong Ajax

We 2/12 Vitesse v Ajax [KNVB Cup Quarterfinal]

Su 2/16 Ajax v Waalwijk {18th}

Mo 2/17 Jong Ajax v NAC {6th}

Th 2/20 Getafe v Ajax {Europa League}

Fr 2/21 Helmond Sport {19th} v Jong Ajax

Su 2/23 Heracles {10th} v Ajax

Th 2/27 Ajax v Getafe {Europa League}

Fr 2/28 Jong Ajax v Telstar {7th}

Su 3/1 Ajax v AZ Alkmaar {2nd}

I see a crowded schedule, with each team having (on paper) just one easy game. This is where depth really helps and injuries really hurt.

 

Voetbal International rating:
NEC 3-3 YAjax:
Pierie: 4.5
Mendez: 6.5

 

By the way.One can be an Ajax flop, like Zivkovic, developed by FC Groningen and ending up in the Chinese second division, in order to reappear in the EPL winter transfer as a player of an 8th positioned club.

 

Is there any possibility that this was the plan for Mendez all along? Promote some of the Jong Ajax's players who have been in the system ahead of him in January with transfer attrition/injury and have him settle in and play in the back half of the season after he learned the Ajax way?

IDK I haven't followed how Ajax has assimilated young players that they get who clearly aren't going to be inserted into the team right away.

 

Of course this is the way I view it, though I recognize it's an optimistic view.

Ajax has a distinct model, or flow. They develop some of their own players (Dest), poach others' (Pierie), and take fliers (Mendez). Other teams attempt to do this, but Ajax seems to understand that it's both an art and a science.

Dest's situation (alongside and perhaps a nose in front of a player of proven quality) is more unusual/surprising than Mendez's, who needed some time to settle in, learn the system, and (my guess) get in shape.

I'm optimistic because Mendez is now getting full games with Jong Ajaz. He may not become an Ajax first-teamer (next year, or ever), but he'll get his chance. And if he doesn't make it there, he's in a good place to showcase his talents and land at a team more suitable to his level.

 

Jong Ajax - currently tied for 3rd but with a game in hand - host Go Ahead Eagles today.

 

Mendez on the bench (Pierie starting) ...



Note that Ekkelenkamp dropped off Ajax's bench yesterday and into Jong Ajax's starting lineup today. [Similarly, Kotarski in goal.]

 

Mendez in (for Taylor) @ 50'

Shortly afterwards Danilo scored his third, currently Jong Ajax 4-0 Go Ahead Eagles

 

Both teams now playing with ten - let's see if Mendez can take advantage of this Taylor-made opportunity.

 

Finished 5-1 in favor, Quinten Timber with the final goal.

 

https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/articl...fa-publiceert-a-lijst-ajax-voor-europa-league

Ajax has registered 23 players for their Europa League A-list:

Who can explain what the A and B lists are, and why Mendez and Pierie are on the A-list but Dest is not?

 

Thank you. Mendez obviously hasn't been around long enough (for the B-list).

 

Voetbal International rating:
Y Ajax 5-1 GAE
Pierie 4.5
Mendez 6.5
Corboz 6

 

Starts:

Hi #JongAjax! 🗒🖌
Kick-off > 20:00h#jutjaj pic.twitter.com/EooStlflQD

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 10, 2020