The Schreuder Era Starts and Ends: 2022-23 Ajax Season

I don't think they would have spent €10M for Wijndal if he is not going to start. These days Blind's only position is CB. Some have been talking about him as a DM but he's really too slow to play in the MF. We'll see next weekend in the Cruyff Shield match.

 

We commented on this earlier in this thread. There was a brief statement from Ajax on this, Ihattaren has some type of personal issue he is dealing with and did not accompany the team to the Alps for training. Ajax have a friendly today against Shaktar Donnetsk and don't know if he will be in the match day team.

 

In the final friendly of the pre-season, Ajax defeated Shakhtar Donnetsk 3-1. Teams were level at the half 1-1. Tadic, starting at striker got the goal for Ajax following a nice run by the Shakhtar winger who beat Pasveer on the short side. Berghuis pegged Ajax ahead with a shot from distance that was deflected and the keeper could not recover having gone the wrong way. Kudus closed out scoring with a nice goal off a couple of passes, the final one coming from Brobbey. It's interesting that Schreuder brought Fitz-Jim in at RB for the final 23 minutes. Alvarez had a good game at DM allowing both Blind and Timber to push up into the attacking half. This may provide a clue as to how Ajax will attack this season. Our new winger Conclcao came on for Antony. He has a lot of quickness and got a late shot on goal that sailed over the cross bar.

Line up and subs:

Pasveer; Rensch (Fitz-Jim 66'), Timber (Schuurs 66'), Blind, Wijndal (Baas 76'); Álvarez, Berghuis (Taylor 80'), Klaassen (Brobbey 76'); Bergwijn (Kudus 66'), Antony (Conceição 76'); Tadic.

 

They ended up doing pretty well. Shakhtar only had the one shot on goal the whole match.

 

One play does not mean that he is a world beater.

 

I should have added that the Shakhtar players had the names of all the Ukranian cities that are either occupied or have been under attach by the Russians.on their shirts rather than player names.

 

I didn't see a good enough replay. I looked like Antony was ahead of him when he headed the ball and Tadic was running onto it.

 

We'll see if any new players come into the team and whether some others leave. It looks like they have a lot of depth right now. @Brilliant Dutch - have you seen any updates in the Dutch press on Ihattaren? From over here I haven't seen anything at all and I don't know if he is back training.

 

He did not have much in the way of defending to do. He was very good on the ball which is no surprise. He is probably the quickest ball handler on the team; he makes fast decisions and to the right teammate.

 

The only way they bring in anyone new at this point will require the sales of a player(s). The players that Ajax want to off load won't bring in significant transfer funds and some of those players they can't even give away. Schreuder has said he does not want to see any base players leave right now and realistically the only one who has real value is Antony. I don't think he will be sold this season as there is no replacement. Judging by yesterday's match, I think Tadic starts off as striker. He is really not quick enough to play left wing and I saw how much quicker and dangerous Bergwijn is.

I may be surprised but remember any transfer that skews the finances has to be approved by Susan Lenderink (the CFO) and she is financially conservative.

 

If the top three can stay healthy until December they will be OK. Setford will be back from his wrist injury and is an excellent keeper even though he his young. He will be the starter for Jong Ajax this season.