AFC Ajax 2.0 -  Best Players to Watch Out For 

Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E
Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E

Ever since the glorious era of Louis van Gaal and his golden boys reigned supreme in the 1994-95 season, they have experienced nothing but inconsistency. This season, AFC Ajax have come out all guns blazing reminiscent of the 1994-95 Ajax side. The appointment of Erik ten Hag and an increase in the influx of immensely talented youngsters have paved the way towards a change in their mixed fortune. Currently standing 2nd in the table behind PSV Eindhoven, their possession-based football has already enthralled audiences in the UEFA Champions League. Their gutsy performance in a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich was duly noted and put several of its young starlets on the global radar. Here are Ajax's best players to watch out for during the coming seasons.


#1 Frenkie De Jong

Ajax v Emmen - Eredivisie
Ajax v Emmen - Eredivisie

Subject to a transfer tug-of-war between Manchester City and FC Barcelona as per the Goal, the € 70 million rated Frenkie De Jong has already been compared to the legendary Johan Cruyff. With a keen eye for a pass, excellent vision and immaculate reading the game, De Jong is ear-marked to be Fernandinho's replacement at City by Pep Guardiola.

De Jong's ability to keep the ball moving and his intermittent dribbles from the deep is what makes him a special talent. His performances against the likes of Bayern Munich and Benfica in the Champions League have earned him laurels from legends and pundits with Barca legend Xavi stating him as " a beastly talent" in an interview with Mundo Deportivo. With four international caps already to his name, De Jong is at the heart of the Oranje's resurgence at the global stage. Ajax would have a lot on their plate to keep De Jong in their books come the 2019-20 season.

#2 Matthijs De Ligt

Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E
Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E

With over 50 appearances for Ajax and 11 international caps already to his name, 19-year-old Matthijs De Ligt is a commanding centre-back who is touted to break his compatriot Virgil Van Dijk's record breaking transfer fee for a defender with Barcelona already quoted a value in excess of €50 million by Ajax.

De Ligt is by far the most talented centre-back to come out of the Ajax academy since Toby Alderweireld and has already been named captain at Ajax before he turned 19. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, De Ligt has not suffered defeat this season in the Eredivisie and has been likened to Barca stalwart, Gerard Pique in a chat with ELF Voetbal Magazine. The Ajax captain has all the traits of becoming the best in the world. The likes of Juventus in the race to sign him and the sky is the limit for De Ligt.

#3 David Neres

Ajax v Royal Standard de Liege - UEFA Champions League third round qualifying match
Ajax v Royal Standard de Liege - UEFA Champions League
third round
qualifying match

Bought for a sum of €12 million from Sao Paulo, David Neres is a tricky winger who is adept on both wings. Taking up the number 7 jersey, Neres has already earned the respect and adulation of the Ajax faithful. Although he has scored a goal and four assists in the current Eredivisie season, Neres is far from the complete player. In the mold of Chelsea winger Willian, David Neres is a direct winger with a keen eye for goal.

Neres' raw talent and blistering pace have already attracted possible suitors with the 21-year old claiming UEFA Champions League hopefuls Roma and Borussia Dortmund were in the market for him during the summer. Currently rated in excess of €20 million, Neres is a worth-while signing for any mid-table side hoping to break into Europe's elite competitions with teams such as Everton and AC Milan in need of such talent on the wings.

#4 Nicolas Tagliafico

Ajax v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League Group E
Ajax v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League Group E

The Argentine has been a revelation since joining Ajax at the start of the year, making 25 appearances for the Dutch side. His supreme stamina and work rate combined with his attacking prowess has earned him comparisons with Inter and Argentina legend Javier Zanetti.

To cap off his rapid rise, Tagliafico started all four games for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2018 and was also given the captain's armband for the friendly against Guatemala last September. With Tagliafico's attacking nature and ability to track back quickly, Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag has given the Argentine license to run back and forth with the likes of Max Wober and Donny Van De Beek in support on the left side of the pitch. Rated at €25 million, Tagliafico could be the long-term solution to the left-back woes of Arsenal with Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinic being on the decline and injury prone respectively.

#5 Andre Onana

Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E
Ajax v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League Group E

A product of the famed La Masia of FC Barcelona, Andre Onana found himself in the red and whites of Ajax after Barcelona had raided them for their then-keeper Jasper Cillessen. While Cillessen has been warming the bench at the Nou Camp, Onana has grown in leaps and bounds with immaculate performances in the 2016-17 Europa League and the ongoing Champions League.

Adept with the ball at his feet and a commanding presence standing at 1.92 metres, the Cameroonian has been linked with a return to Barca next season with him claiming the return could be a dream come true in an interview with Marca. Rated at €20 million, Onana was voted the best goalkeeper in the league last season and has already kept 11 clean sheets in the Eredivisie and is on the Catalan giant's radar as well. With immense talent and a good reading of the game, Onana is well and truly on his way to be ranked among the elite.

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Edited by Pratyay Ghosh