How Ajax have reshaped squad to maintain Champions League momentum
Ajax’s failure to reach the Champions League final last season was as unexpected as the events that led to their semi-final encounter with Tottenham.
Leading Spurs 3-0 at home with just 45 minutes of their semi-final tie remaining, it seemed the stars had aligned for a group of talented, largely home-grown players whose coming of age ignited the European stage.
The rest is history and led to understandable concerns that the assault on the Champions League would be a one-off; their team dismantled by the far richer clubs of England, Spain, Italy and Germany.
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But as Ajax prepare to welcome Chelsea to the Johan Cruyff Arena this evening, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that a repeat of their 2018-19 heroics is not beyond them.
Last season was a reminder of why the Dutch champions’ academy is considered among the best in the world.
They navigated a group including Bayern Munich and Benfica without defeat before knocking out European giants Real Madrid and Juventus, and seemingly having one foot in the final after three-quarters of their semi-final with Spurs.
A second-half hat-trick from Lucas Moura sent Tottenham through on away goals, with the decisive blow coming in the 96th minute.
It robbed Ajax of a first Champions League final since 1996 and it denied the world a storyline that every footballing romantic craved: the return of the fallen Dutch giants to the summit of the game – all achieved on a budget and by defying convention.
Their run to that point was unforeseen and their demise equally so. But the prevailing feeling was that last year’s success could and would not be sustained.
Summer exodus?
It was expected that this young, talented side would be torn apart during the summer transfer window, in the manner of 2017 Champions League semi-finalists Monaco, who lost Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy within weeks.
The departures of influential players Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt to Barcelona and Juventus for £68m and £77m respectively appeared to prove that point, but the Ajax hierarchy, led by director of football Marc Overmars, managed to fend off interest in other key personnel.
Ajax made an astonishing total of £185m from summer sales, spending just £51m on replacements – the majority young, up-and-coming talents – or by promoting from their academy.
Astute additions
One player to have made that step up is 18-year-old right-back Sergino Dest. He has effectively replaced De Ligt in the back four, with Joel Veltman, who played right-back last season, moving across to partner Daley Blind in central defence.
Dest’s addition has contributed to the still very young age of this squad, which averages at just 23.8 years old.
One exception to the youthful recruitment policy, though, was the acquisition of former academy product Quincy Promes, 27, from Sevilla.
The winger struggled in Spain last year but has hit the ground running back at his boyhood club, with eight goals and two assists in 12 games.
He joins the likes of Dusan Tadic, Hakim Ziyech, Donny van de Beek and David Neres, all of whom have stayed with the club following last season’s exploits, in giving head coach Erik ten Hag plenty of options in the attacking third.
The area of the pitch where there has been more wholesale changes is deeper in midfield, following the departures of De Jong and Lasse Schone.
In have come two 21-year-olds in Lisandro Martinez – formerly a centre-back – from Argentina and Edson Alvarez from Mexico, who cost £6m and £13m respectively.
So far they appear to have settled in quickly and filled the void for a fraction of the cost. The business model is testament not only to Ajax’s academy but also their scouting network and recruitment.
Last year’s domestic double winners lead the Eredivisie again after 10 games and are also top of their Champions League group, following back-to-back 3-0 wins over Lille and Valencia. They are yet to lose in any competition this season.
Chelsea threat
This evening they will face perhaps their toughest test of the season so far in a Chelsea side that seem to be improving week by week under Frank Lampard.
The Blues are similarly focused on promoting youth now but have yet to show the consistency of Ajax and, in contrast to their Dutch counterparts, lost 1-0 at home to Valencia before being made to work for a 2-1 win at Lille.
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Lampard has not had the time that Ten Hag has had, nor do Chelsea have deeply ingrained identity throughout the ranks like Ajax do.
The match promises to provide the acid test of where each team currently is.
A Chelsea win would continue the progress seen under Lampard and put qualification for the knockout stages back in their hands. Another victory for Ajax, however, would suggest they are well on their way to being a serious threat in Europe again.