Who Goes? Who Stays?
By: Matt | March 27th, 2008
After this weekend’s shocking/heartbreaking/embarassing/inevitable loss to FC Twente, it is time to begin thinking about next year. This is good, because this was truly a disappointing year. Even after Sneijder’s departure to start the season, a run at the title was still possible. And at least a modest showing in European competition. In all honesty, Ajax provided neither. PSV was threatened early in the year, mostly by Feyenoord, and we even topped the league back in November. But we have been struggling with form since then, and PSV has done their usual we-never-drop-cheap-points trick.
So, moving forward, what does the squad look like next year and beyond?
Sadly, it appears that Johnny Heitinga is officially leaving. A 10 million euro transfer to Atletico with a five year deal for him is the official report from various sources. This may be the most significant loss of the offseason. In a year where the backline has been the most glaring weakness, to lose the one defender who provided consistency in form, fitness, and competitiveness is terrible. Stamm’s departure was shocking, and a replacement was never found. Now, with Heitinga leaving, two first-choice center-backs are necessary. Vermaelen is always hurt, Van der Wiel is quite young, and Kuffour was a panic-buy. On Heitinga’s behalf, however, this is at worst and interesting move. There were worse options for him. The last thing Dutch football needs is another defender moving to a “big club” and disappearing (I am look at you, Khalid Boulahroz, and I am feeling sorry for you, Alex). Heitinga should play for the mattress-makers. Maybe he learned from Babel and Royston Drenthe’s example.
Potential departures are also significant. Just about every “big club” in Europe has been linked with Klaas Jan Huntelaar by now. KJH, for his part, has entertained the notion of moving on this summer but has also demonstrated some resistance to Van der Vart disease. If a picture comes out tomorrow of KJH in a ManU kit, I will rescind my kind words. I am not as worried about KJH leaving. The guy is a star, and will not be replaceable immediately, no doubt. But Ajax has scored goals in bunches. Heitinga leaving is more of a concern. Heitinga and …
Edgar Davids keeps talking retirement. I know he is old, and has shown a lack of effectiveness in some outings. But he adds steel in the midfield that Ajax always needs and rarely manages to produce. Davids brings a skill-set that the Academy does not seem interested in producing. Maarten Stekelenburg is another target for more than a few clubs, and he has been solid this year. I know he just signed a new contract, but those are barely worth the paper they are printed on these days. (Do they even bother printing them anymore?) That renewal could have been a move to increase his selling price, which brings me to …
Ajax picked up the extension of Jurgen Colin’s contract. Now, surely this is just a move to sell him rather than let him leave on a free, right? If not, I cannot imagine a 27 year old fullback who labored in the Championship and has spent most of the season with the reserves being the answer next year. A backline of Kuffour, Colin, Emmanuelson, and van der Wiel would be a great way to ensure that the league and European glory evade us once again.
Category: Team News
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