Enter the Next Phenom

By: Matt | July 6th, 2008

They certainly do not plan the European transfer window around American holidays. While I was enjoying the 4th of July with barbecue, fireworks, and baseball, the nice folks at work in Amsterdam sealed a deal. After reaching personal terms with Miralem Sulejmani, Heerenveen was understandably a bit obstinate. They held out and got a record deal, 16 million euros. I hope Ajax was paying attention to their tactics for the upcoming KJH saga.

The Sulejmani deal was not much of a secret. Word first spread about the talented 19-year-old moving to Ajax just before the regular season ended. A few “big clubs” were also sniffing around, but Sulejmani spoke out and asked for Ajax. I enjoyed hearing that. And now I do not feel guilty about that. With KJH calling suitors by name, I know how this feels from both sides. I tip my hat to Heerenveen. Their scouting is top notch right now, scooping KJH and Miralem before both eventually moved for big money to Ajax.

I like Sulejmani, and it is easy to see why he wanted to come to Ajax. He is a pacy attacking player who likes to score goals and set them up. A lot of people are pegging him as a direct replacement for KJH. Sulejmani can do the damage up top, but I would love to see him on a wing or even coming from a withdrawn striker role. He is not terribly tall, and his build does not allow him to challenge CBs physically, but he seems to use space well and loves to run with the ball. KJH is/was often brutally effective, with an underrated touch. Sulejmani will be more electrifying, more dynamic.

As for KJH, rumors are picking up now. I fully expect him to be sold, and I will be disappointed to get less than the stated 25 million. KJH claims ManU wants him, and he would love to go and be the second coming of Ruud. I mentioned earlier that the last thing I want is for KJH to leave Ajax to become the next Louis Saha. Looks like he heard me and thinks that would not be so bad. If he wants to go sit and watch the C-Ron, Tevez and Rooney show from the seats, he can go ahead. As long as ManU’s check does not bounce, KJH can go and do whatever he wants. With the Sulejmani news, I think we can all take a step toward moving on.

Here is something to look forward to.

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Comments  

• dave |  July 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

  
  
  

  Suarez, Cvinatich, and Sulejamni pretty nice attacking/2nd striker type positions. But after KJH leaves, we still need a central striker. As you say, Sulejamni is a bit small, as are the other 2. I understand why you get a 19 yr old like Sulejamni, but I can’t help feeling we would have been better served for this year by getting a direct replacement for KJH ( Palyuvchenko??) as we already have Suarez and Cvinatich to play Sulejamni’s positions.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jan |  July 8th, 2008 at 2:48 am

  
  
  

  I think Marco wants to model his team to Man U and Arsenal as he already stated in the media with regards to Oranje. No place for a static, old-fashioned striker like KJH. I think Ajax would be stupid to say no to a good offer. Marco will play 4-2-3-1, with often-switching forwards. Yummie!

  Posted from United States

  

• dave |  July 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am

  
  
  

  Now lets not knock KJH too much. The guy’s pretty good. By all means sell him if Arsenal or Man U come up with the 25 mil, and a bunch of little guys running wild does sounds fun, but there are reasons why they need a big guy in the middle– to take the pressure off and to open the field for their runs with and without the ball, to take in long passes, especially important if we don’t upgrade in the middle of the park-Gabri, Lindgren, De Jong are just not dynamic playmakers from the middle.

  Maybe we get lucky (for this yr anyway) and nobody steps up to take KJH? Imagine the attacking possiblities then:

  Silva Vermealen Henrique(?) Emmanuleson

  De Jong Gabri

  Sulejamni Suarez Cvitanich

  KJH

  Posted from United States

  

• Matt |  July 8th, 2008 at 10:13 am

  
  
  

  I think Jan has the right idea. That is probably why MvB is chatting with Wenger. However, dave has a point as well. I admit I have turned against KJH, but if the club keeps him, we are going to be a stronger squad. For their part, Ajax still claims he is staying. So much rides on that; tactics, finances, personnel.

  Posted from United States

  

• Chris |  July 10th, 2008 at 5:45 am

  
  
  

  hope this is the good year…they’re doing good work with the team, but keeping KJH at Amsterdam, if he wants to leave,is not good for the whole team…
  Cheers from the Ajax italian blog!

  Posted from United States

  

• richard |  July 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pm

  
  
  

  what shirt number will Sulejmani wear at Ajax?

  Posted from United States

  

• Sagitarius |  July 17th, 2008 at 10:05 am

  
  
  

  Sulejmani Number 10

  Posted from Thailand

  

Comments are closed