Reason #2 to Support Ajax

By: Matt | April 16th, 2008

Last time, I wrote about how Ajax must manage their resources well to be successful. They have not done so recently, and are stuck in the doldrums. They are neither terribly impressive not embarrassingly poor. But one can expect two things. First, they will not remain in mediocrity for long. Second, there will always be entertaining players at Ajax. Both of these assertions can be made based on the ridiculous amount of talent born, raised, and introduced to the world at the Ajax youth academy.

Face it. There is just something sexier about John Terry at Chelsea than Rio Ferdinand at ManU. Or Danielle De Rossi at Roma over Gennaro Gattuso at Milan. Madrid has it in Guti, Raul, and Casillas. Barca has it in Xavi, Puyol, and Eto’o. Inter lacks it with Zlatan and Vieira and Figo. Homegrown players seem to bring more than their form to a club. They bring a sense of permanency, a bond with fans that goes deeper than normal. Because any team with money can buy a superstar. Only a few teams can make them.

And Ajax cranks out a few defining stars every generation. I don’t even need to mention names like Cruijff, van Basten, Bergkamp, Rijkard, Wim Jonk, Patrick Kluivert, Danny Blind, the de Boer brothers, Michael Reiziger, and more. (Please don’t curse my for leaving names out. You try it, OK?) You first saw these players in Amsterdam as Ajax was cruising to the title and later stages of the biggest competitions. These players eventually left to play for clubs like Barca, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Arsenal, etc. But they were the glory days of Ajax and Dutch football in general.

Other players made a splash at Ajax only to make an even bigger splash elsewhere. Clarence Seedorf won a CL at Ajax before winning one in Madrid and Milan. He is still classy at age 32. Edgar Davids began at Ajax, then won some Scudetii at Juventus. Now back where it all began, he is still a contributor at age 35. The ageless Edwin van der Sar now makes the saves for ManU after a brief spell at Juventus.

And a younger generation is also making its mark, although it is becoming common for these marks to be made outside of Amsterdam. Raphael van der Vart is a terrific talent, although playing in the Bundesliga means the international media hears only of his desires to play elsewhere. Wesley Sneijder may have been Madrid’s best buy last summer (OK, his competition is Pepe, Robben, Heinze, and Drenthe. Competition over. Wesley wins) Ryan Babel continues to improve despite Rafa’s rotations, and he may yet deliver on the promise he has shown over the years. Soon, John Heitinga will be following Kun Aguero in an assault on La Liga.

And they keep coming. Urby Emmanuelson, despite his defensive shortcomings, is a terrific attacking fullback/midfielder. Siem de Jong has figured heavily in the side this season, showing good form in his 18th year. Next year we may see the emergence of Jeffrey Sarpong, Vurnon Anita, and Mitchell Donald. Maarten Stekelenburg looks set to follow van der Sar for club and country. Gregory van der Wiel has shown promise as a CB of the future. Message boards drool over the prospects of Jan-Arie van der Heijden. At Ajax, it seems, there is always something in the cupboard.

If you read this and wonder why I did not mention names like Zlatan, Litmanen, Chivu, Maxwell, and Pienaar, then you will have anticipated the third reason to support Ajax…

If you need more info on the specifics of the youth program, go here.