A Proper Goodbye
By: Matt | July 28th, 2008
It was truly a blessing to have been able to field one of the all-time greatest defenders over the last two years. Jaap Stam’s return to Holland and arrival in Amsterdam was much more than a hero’s homecoming, however. Stam’s presence solidified the backline for over a season and offered immeasurable quanities of intangible benefits to younger players who grew up idolizing the Dutch Destroyer. In a footballing nation that idolizes the skilled and graceful attacker, Stam more than held his own with power, positioning, and viciousness when necessary.
After his abrupt retirement soon after the beginning of last season, Ajax scheduled the recent friendly between Ajax and a team of Stam’s own choosing. The match played to a 3-3 draw, but Stam was in full force. Playing first for his own team, Stam went into the break with a lead. After switching to Ajax at the half, his old club managed to level the score just before full time.
Stam drew some of the best Holland has ever seen to his side for the match. Frank and Ronald de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Aron Winter, Philip Cocu, Ronald Waterreus, and even Guus Hiddink came to call the shots. It is little wonder Ajax had to snatch a draw in the second half. The young lineup should have been distracted throughout the match!
> KJH played the first half that was shortened due to inclement weather. It was his first appearance since returning from an extended break after Euros. No Steks yet.
> The signing of Oleguer is now official. He only needs to fly to Amsterdam to pass his medical. No word on the contract’s figures yet.
Category: Team News
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Comments
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MvB has been quoted saying that Oleguer is not the last transfer of the summer. If we sell Huntelaar I am all about leaving Sulejmani & Suarez as our wingers and finding a big body to rotate with Cvitanich at striker. I’d also be ok with a young prospect at central defense as I’m not sold on Oleguer and van der Wiel seems too small to the play the position effectively (although he still does a damn fine job).
That’s my two cents.
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