Author: Tarcísio Neri

by Tarcísio Neri

Two Ajax defenders undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season

Ajax have announced that the season is over for Olivier Aertssen and Ethan Butera. The two defenders who frequently play for Jong Ajax have been sidelined for a long time due to a knee injury.

Olivier Aertssen suffered a knee injury during training last month and underwent surgery last Friday. The 19-year-old defender played 23 games for Jong Ajax in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie but must now focus on next season.

This also applies to Ethan Butera. The 17-year-old defender joined from RSC Anderlecht at the start of this season but has yet to play for Ajax’s first team due to a knee injury. The Belgian defender recently underwent new surgery due to the pain that did not stop.

by Tarcísio Neri

Ajax should maintain a formation with three defenders against Aston Villa

Ajax will continue to play with three defenders in the next games of the season, especially in the duel against Aston Villa, this Thursday, in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The person who confirmed this information was the club’s coach, John van ‘t Schip.

The coach of the Amsterdam team is confident of a good result, even after the stumble at home to Fortuna Sittard, in the Eredivisie. But he also doesn’t deny that the Godenzonen will have a complicated game ahead, especially with the absence of Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn.

According to the 60-year-old coach, it is important that his team does not get caught up in the excitement of the Aston Villa game.

“We shouldn’t get in their way, because that’s where we give up space. We have to be patient and keep possession of the ball. Whether this will work is another story. They suffered a tough defeat last weekend and will want to give an answer to their fans who are expected to fill the stadium” said John van ‘t Schip.
The manager suggests that Aston Villa will also play with three defenders.

“I have a lot of confidence in this, because we showed against FC Utrecht and in the first match that we can play solidly in this formation. It’s a system that can’t be mastered perfectly overnight, but the players have shown they can play. Furthermore, it will be a fight and we will have to fight a lot with each other” commented John van ‘t Schip.

Jorrel Hato is also confident of a good result against the fourth-placed team in the Premier League.

“If you look at how we did last week, we deserved to win more. We had two great opportunities and gave up little space. So I certainly have a lot of confidence in our team. Maybe it will be a completely different game to what we had last week” said Jorrel Hato.

by Tarcísio Neri

Jorrel Hato renews contract with Ajax until 2028

Ajax announced the contract renewal of Jorrel Hato. The 18-year-old defender’s new contract will be valid until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The defender won the starting spot last year under the command of John Heitinga, at the age of 16, and despite the sporting malaise at the club, he decided to stay.

“If you don’t win that often, it might be bad for you, but if you look at it realistically, I know I’m certainly in the right place. I know that staying at Ajax is good for me. This is my first full year in the professional team and as a starter in the Eredivisie. I think I have a lot to learn here. For me, the choice was certainly not difficult to stay at Ajax” said Jorrel Hato.

Difficult negotiations that lasted months have finally come to a good end for Ajax, where retaining top talent after the hectic transfer period was a top priority. Football director Sven Mislintat was fired before negotiations began. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar remained the club’s director, but ended up resigning and hiring Kelvin de Lang to take on this role.

With the contract extension, Ajax keeps Jorrel Hato out of the hands of several other European clubs. In November, Jorrel Hato debuted with the Dutch national team against Gibraltar.
“Of course I also use social media and see things happening. It’s good when big clubs are interested, that’s good, but I don’t really care about that. I hope that happens one day” said the defender.

by Tarcísio Neri

Gijs Smal comments on his departure from FC Twente at the end of this season

Gijs Smal has not yet confirmed his move to Feyenoord, but it is clear that the 26-year-old left-back will leave FC Twente at the end of this season. After the Eredivisie match against Sparta Rotterdam, he explained why.

Dutch media have already reported that he had reached an agreement with Feyenoord about moving to Rotterdam next season. The defender himself has not yet wanted to confirm an agreement. He also hoped that the news would not leak out.

“There was contact from Feyenoord, but there was also contact from other clubs. Nothing has been signed yet” said Gijs Smal.

Even so, FC Twente fans sang for him on Saturday during the match against Sparta Rotterdam. After all, Gijs Smal’s departure didn’t yield a single cent for the Enschede club. The full-back, who joined from FC Volendam in 2020, could have extended his contract with the Tukkers, but decided to leave the club.

According to Gijs Smal, money is not the reason.

“This does not bother me. After my career I can also earn money. I came here for free, but I didn’t receive any fees either. And I still have a contract here that you can say: it’s not that special. It has never been renewed since I arrived here, but that is not the problem” commented Gijs Smal.

FC Twente waited a long time with an offer and when it arrived at the start of the season, Gijs Smal wanted to wait for the transfer window.

“This was not what it should have been. I only heard something again in December. But we also hear about other clubs that are interested, because as an almost free player, you become interesting” said Gijs Smal.

Gijs Smal held back again.

“If something good comes along, something that I think could be a step forward, then you want to see if you can reach a higher level. Not because of the money, but because I want to look back on my career later and be able to say I made the most of it. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith” concluded Gijs Smal.

by Tarcísio Neri

Feyenoord close to announcing the signing of Gijs Smal

Feyenoord is already starting to think about forming its squad for next season and the Rotterdam club is very close to announcing the signing of Gijs Smal. The 26-year-old full-back, who belongs to FC Twente, will not renew his contract with the Tukkers and will be free at the end of this season.

Gijs Smal will arrive to replace Marcos López. The 24-year-old Peruvian will leave Feyenoord at the end of this season, after spending two seasons wearing the Stadionclub shirt.

Gijs Smal, born in De Rijp, left FC Volendam and signed for FC Twente for free at the start of the 2020/21 season. He was an important player at Enschede, especially last season. In 34 Eredivisie appearances, he scored two goals and provided ten assists. This season, he has just one assist in 16 games.

FC Twente wanted to keep Gijs Smal at the club, but were unable to reach an agreement on renewing his contract.