Any Other Day and This is Good News

Let me begin by saying the source I have found is a bit less than credible, but goal.com is reporting that Ajax and PSV have agreed to terms on the Aissati deal. The article says Marco was willing to spend 10 million euros for the 19-year-old. After Aissati got more pitch time at Euro than many expected, and PSV continued to make it clear that a player of his type was not part of the plan, a move to Ajax began to make sense. But, I expect many of you are shocked/worried/upset/flabbergasted. Me too, but let’s think about this for a minute.

We know Aissati has been on the shortlist since Wesley left last summer. Ajax tried to get him then, but PSV refused (or Ajax cheaped out) and Aissati spent a disappointing season mostly on the bench. Meanwhile, Ajax lacked a number 10 all season. I think most of us can agree that our failure to win a title last season was due mainly to defensive shortcomings, but having a playmaker in the midfield may have helped with that. But seriously, we don’t watch Ajax for the defending, do we?

Any other day and this transfer leaves us all with a spectacular feeling. We are getting a highly regarded Dutch talent who shoud fit right into our attacking style, bringing experience that Siem de Jong lacks right now and more skill than Vertonghen can boast of right now. I am not sure how good Aissati will be, but I do think he is a significant upgrade over some of our other midfield attacking options. And there is the problem.

We are now overloaded with midfielders, and I can’t think of any that I am ready to part with yet. De Jong and Vertonghen still have high ceilings and could someday be better than Aissati, Gabri plays a role that we cannot afford to give up, Lindgren looks like a solid option, and where would we be without Perez? Surely he is worth one more season at least? Meanwhile, Heitinga is gone and we are still waiting for a true anchor for that backline that has been missing since Stam retired. Last summer. While I am glad we finally got our man in Aissati, I do wonder if we are going to be left with a panic-buy defender as the window closes. Something like Samuel Kuffour, but even more disappointing because we will probably have to put him on the pitch.

So, feel free to respond with your conflicted emotions. Flame MvB for his idiocy or praise him for his opportunism.

> Ajax.nl is reporting the signing of Heerenveen striker Darko Bodul to a one year deal. He is a free transfer. He will not be the first striker we have gotten good use out of from Heerenveen, but I doubt he is being brought in as a replacement for anyone. Right? (He will play for the youth squad)

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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