Hi all, I will start with apologising for taking a bit of time off, with the Eredivisie (and Oranje) in their winter break. Sure, I noticed the EPL was still going, but I just wanted to take a breather.
Every year, I contemplate the future of the blog. In 2010 and 2014, I considered stopping at the high point of Oranje’s World Cup exploits, expecting/hoping that we would win gold.
We didn’t.
Then we ended up in the boondocks with Oranje and I simply couldn’t quit while things were so bad. And now…we’re heading back up again. So… maybe I’ll hang in a bit longer.
Having said that: do let me know if you wish to contribute or partner or even take over this blog. I do believe time will come soon now, for me to retire and rake in the big bucks. Well… not rake in the big bucks actually… This little hobby costs money, but hey…
So leave a comment below if you want to join in. We’ll see how we can set that up.
By the way, this is also the right time and place to thank you for all your support and ongoing participation!
For 2019, I think I can only see great things.
Oranje will probably win the Nations League. We are so hungry now and Koeman will want to get his team in the habit of winning. So check! That is trophy number 2 for Oranje. And with the Euros coming up, I think we need to make space in our trophy cabinet. Or better: we should actually first make a trophy cabinet…
Ajax will dazzle in Europe, which is great. Can they win the Champions League? Why not! The draw will be key but I firmly believe they can beat any opponent on a really good day. But lets avoid PSG and Man City for now.
PSV will get stronger too. Van Bommel is doing a great job and it’s good to see some solid players come through there in Eindhoven. Rosario, Malen, Bergwijn. There are some others in their youth system too! Excellent.
Feyenoord has brought Stanley Brard home as the new Youth Academy leader. He used to be in charge back in the day when the likes of Wijnaldum and Fer came through. I think Gio will move on and it might well be an idea for Feyenoord to consider a coach like Wagner (recently fired at Huddersfield), who can bring some new vibe into the club. Usual suspects Henk Fraser (just signed with Sparta) and Dirk Kuyt (too early) or Kevin Hofland (doesn’t have proper diploma yet) might be considered in the stage beyond Wagner?
Our youthful talents are getting the headlights again. Hoever at Liverpool? Wow!! Chong at ManU? Great. And with Danjuma, Delrosun, Van Drongelen et al, the future looks bright.
Ajax’ success will mean their key players will leave. I think Onana will be off to the EPL (Spurs?) with Frenkie hopefully chosing between Barca and Man City. De Ligt will probably make a move too (Barca or Bayern) while Ziyech might be off to Italy.
The youngsters coming through in Amsterdam are of high calibre as well and players like Blind, Schone, Tadic, Labyad and Veltman will probably not go anywhere.
Still, challenges ahead for Ajax, but it’s a good thing Overmars has started to spend some money on good quality players. A guy like Tagliafico will definitely make the club money so investing/spending wisely will pay off.
Thanks, Jan. Good article to start the new year. As you have often said in the past, the future is bright.
…speaking of which, I watched the Roma-Torino match today. Kluivert was fine, certainly looked like he belonged. Nothing spectacular. Roma’s tactics seemed to be to attack down the opposite side.
Karsdorp, on the other hand, looked very good. Lively, aggressive, played with an edge. Superb pass to set up a goal.
Yeah looks like karsdorp is finally pulling the strings right. I think it was off field issue which deteriorated their relationships but looks like karsdorp after being given the nod is proving his worth. Even Di Francesco admitted he is improving a great deal which shows he is seeing good things in him. Good news for him and in NT.
Not sure what you guys think…Davy Propper should move, he is too good for Brighton, just like Gini at Newcastle previously. Davy plays good passes and has good awareness and technique.
He will at some stage. His qualities are being recognised in England. I just don’t think the top 6 will go for him.
AZ won yesterday Utrecht 3:0, and Stengs’ last goal was amazing. When the summary of that game is out I will put a link here so tou could watch. Boy is coming, finally, back abd with him AZ.
was a great sight. a lot to look forward to in 2019. Sam Lammers also came alive vs Ajax and showed why he should also be the mix for the No 9 role. two well taken goals and a assist. lets see if he can continue this form and force his way in PSV.
Dream start for Jaap Stam also as PEC Zwolle thrashed feyenoord 3-1. few rotations and the team shifted a gear up. again I would put the spot light on vito Van crooj. a very under rated and a simple winger. remains me of james vardy. hope he also continues with the current form under the new coach and finds a better club.
Just saw the Stengs goal; a thing of beauty. Thank you for the heads up, AZ.
Maher too looks like to be getting his old vibe back as he plays more and more.
Three teams are after St Juste.Napoli,Fiorentina and Zenit.He needs to start in the midfielder and again vs PEC Zwolle he showed.he was consistently attacking from the inside channel rather than going out.though they lost but he was quite active on the right.
Sam Lammers! Based on what he did against Ajax yesterday and the highlights I saw for him seems to be real potential for a world class striker, what do you guys think?
Its all about consistency.if im not wrong then that was his first game after being sidelined for sometime.he has scored 8 goals so far and double figures will be a great accomplishment for him especially consideraing this is his debut season. Well for sure he looks to be more skilled than Luuk but PSV has also got Max Romero who is also a good striker. I expecting PSV to take eredivisie by storm few season down the line. This if the transition is smooth and also if the players stick around together. Im talking about Mohammed Ihattaren, Armando Obispo, cody Gakpo,Zakaria Aboukhlal,Sam lammers, joel piroe, Maxi Romero.imagine this team starting together in the near future.
Yes Lammers is developing really well. He missed two years of his development, he could have gone on loan earlier I think. Good to see him play.
Sam Lammers
Wow ! And he got some personality
It seems that I have completely ignored this young man , Definatey someone that can be added to our future Oranje strike-force
Whilst some of our potential youngsters are still struggling to break into the first team ( Daishawn redan , chong , zirkzee etc ), I am looking forward how our front three plus subs will look like in two or four years time
https://youtu.be/1-2oYiDjGRI
I had a look at that video few days back and as soon I heard what they mentioned about daley blind I just turned it off.again you put Daley blind in any position, he will shit. Even the game vs heerenveen, he was caught out on the two lammers goal. I cant see NT winning any tournament with Blind in it.at some stage he will be exposed and no matter van dijk or who, the team will pay the price.
I mean you look at Dumfries, groeneveld, how many caps they had before they hit the ground rolling in NT.
Well it’s a yes and no
They actually had a debate on whether to go for van Aanholt instead of blind. It’s a 50/50 really and at this moment
Yep
Dumfries and Groeneveld are my top favourites now on those two positions !
These are the kind of talent that shines out and we’re all awaiting for
Really hope they’ll move to a bigger club soon
Talents doesnt require much time hardly 1 to 3 games to impress…
Blind is benefiting from lack of quality LB..
its Blind VS Annholt Vs Jetro Vs kongolo..
Everyone has there on problems..Over all i Trust Kongolo over Blind..
If yopu want ultra attack then its williams..
if you want combined mix then its Annholt.
If want slow and stable one then its blind..
Blind doesnt have the power and speed to compete with world elites,so sure the moment oppent put a speedy winger against Blind we will have leakage..i am sure that will come against us in crunch time..
Another well taken goal for clavin stengs in KNVB Bekker vs vitesse. O boy this guy is really make a strong comeback.
Stengs is a freak talent,Hope he stays injury free and we will have a star..
Can you define freak talent? This is the first time im hearing it.
MEAN CREATIVE AND UNORTHODOX
Looks like karsdorp is staying at roma.
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2019/1/22/18192832/rick-karsdorps-renaissance
We may not have to big names
Like we had in the past
But in 2-4 years time our front 3 (+ subs )are going to be very excited and competitive !!!!
Frankie’s off to Barca this summer. Legendary.
I hope that new year 2019 we will have more talents emerge to be same level as Drumfries, de Jong, Depay, van Dijk, de Ligt
Especially we need more talent that in same position of Depay, de Jong
Back-line & the wings seems ok now
It’s so shame that Danjuma, Bergwijn, Boadu in form/ clean-sheet but got injury, after injury we don’t know how it will go, hic
Sorry, not Bergwijn but Dilrosun
Jan,first off, thanks so much for keeping this site alive. It must be tough to manage so much in your life.. then again, this is your passion.
COOL Article on ESPN soccenet front page:
http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/3757094/for-most-clubs-losing-top-talent-is-a-killer-for-ajax-its-their-business-model
well looks like we have another new kid on the blocks.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/philippe-sandler-man-city-guardiola-15724108
He’s not that young, if u look at Kluivert, Bergwijn, Dilrosun, Danjuma, de Jong, de Ligt have have already played clean-sheet at their club, unless he’s a late blossom like van Dijk but this is rarely situation i think
He’s just mediocre player & not massive potential to me
On a positive side at least he is making headlines. He was unknown at PEC Zwolle and the best thing that can happen to him is, better club could become intrested in him or loan move could also enhance his development compared to if he would stayed in eredivisie.
Nathan Ake….
Don’t forget he is an Ajax talent. Developed there and impressed Guadiola in the youth tournaments. He has a lot of positives that coaches like Pep will recognise: cool on the ball, long pass, tall and somewhat arrogant (Van Dijk!) in their personality and happy to take risks in the build up.
Agree.
I strongly feel the next guy to break into NT will be clavin stengs.maybe not in the Nation league but for sure during the euro qualifiers. He only needs to remain injury free and recovery fully before the season ends.
Jan im still trying to figure out which grade team is that on the top picture of this blog. Cant figure out anyone.
Under 17s winning their second Euro tournament in a row
With De jong confirmed to have being signed by Barcelona, the big question now is who will replace him in Ajax.eiting, Gravenberch or as usual overmars will again look at the south American market.
Both Gravenberch and Eiting are in the CL for Ajax and it will be intresting to see whom Ten Hag gives the nod and who seizes this opportunity to kick start of the blocks.
I’d go for Eiting
He’d been waiting for long and he is not young anymore
Busquets is just 30 damn it that means Frenkie De Jong May really have to play as a central defender for Barcelona , which is not his most favourite position.
What u guys think of that? I am sure he will learn a lot playing in Spain with Barcelona , but I am worrying about his playing time also
Frenkie is versatile player, he can play as no. 6, 8, or 10 in midfield. Even for now, most of the times Schone played as no. 6, which is similar to Busquet.
Right, and Barcelona is a versatile team, they can play with a flat 4-3-3 where there’s no defined holding midfielder, instead they rotate.
Also , seems that De Ligt , Van de Beek will be leaving Ajax also after the summer
Who will be taking their places in Ajax? Seems the club is not much too worried
Good news for the other youngsters though for their development isn’t it ?
I think no worry for Ajax. For midfield they have Eiting, Gravenberch, Schone, de Wit, Ekklekamp. For defence they have Magallan and Schurs.
Well looks like Ten Hag has other ideas. Started Mazraoui in the midfield vs heerenveen in Dutch cup.sored the opener but unfortunately was subbed of earlier due to injury. if Im not wrong then he used to play in the midfield during jong Ajax days.
Same goes for Steven Bergwijn and Lozano with PSV
Very likely Bergwijn will move to England and that will be good news for Malen and other youngsters who didn’t have much playing time
I personally Hope that Luuk De Jong will give up his place also . My vote for Sam Lammers if he keeps improving I won’t be surprised he will be our next ruud Van Nistelrooy
PSG is set to sign mitchell Bakker from Ajax. No suprieses there as Mino Raiola is his agent and there was very little opening for him at Ajax.this could be a big break for him.
PSG has also signed a relatively unkown dutch fullback levi opdam from Jong AZ.
Jeffery bruma – on loan (Schalke).
Luc castaignos- SPAL (wage negotiations pending)
Justin Hoogma- St Pauli
Kevin Diks – Fiorentina -Empoli (Loan)
Erik Pieters – Stoke – Amiens (Loan)