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It had been a wonderful run for the young Ajax team who dealt blows on the existing hierarchy and disturbed the natural order of proceedings of the UEFA Champions League.
The once mighty giant brought back memories of their previous quest as they came agonizingly close to getting into their first Champions League finals in nearly two decades.
The Dutch side, who are known to sell off their biggest assets instead of keeping them, are likely to be deprived of a number of their young stars next season with the big names in Europe circling the Johan Cruyff arena to snatch any vulnerable ones looking for a move to a more lucrative league abroad.
Given below is the list of 5 of the most valuable players in the Ajax squad now.
Nicolas Tagliafico - £22.5 million
The Argentine international has been a revelation to the young Ajax side since his arrival from Independiente in the 2018 January transfer window.
A mainstay in the Ajax defence, Nicolas Tagliafico has started in 44 matches in all competitions for the Dutch side this season with 10 of them coming in their wonderful Champions League run.
The Argentine has averaged just under 3 interceptions per 90 minutes this season and has a 62% success in defensive duels. The full-back has been a constant attacking threat for the Dutch side. He has 5 goals and 4 assists to his name and averages 1 shot and 1 key pass per game. The full-back also has a 49% success in attacking duels with an 84% pass success percentage.
Ajax will be relieved that the Argentine recently extended his contract with the club amidst rumours from a number of the big names in Europe.
All stats are courtesy of transfer-market, whoscored.com and Ajax official website.
David Neres - £28.8 million
Brazil has always been known for producing scintillating wingers and David Neres looks set to be the next in line from the football-crazy nation. The 21-year old's brilliant solo goal against Juventus at the Johan Cruyff Arena helped skyrocket the Brazilian transfer value with a number of clubs now looking to sign the boy from Sao Paulo.
Neres joined the Dutch giants in 2017 Sao Paulo and was an instant hit in the Dutch league. The 21-year old scored 11 goals and made 14 assists in his debut season but it's his second season that has taken the World by storm. Starting the season with uncertainty over first-team chances with the arrival of Dusan Tadic, the Brazilian was rumoured to be on the way out but in a twist of fate found his form and turned into one of the most important player's for the Dutch giants.
The Brazilian has racked up 50 appearances for the Dutch giants this season scoring 12 goals and making 15 assists this season.
Neres has averaged over 1.5 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per 90 mins and has a pass success rate of over 85%. The 21-year old also has a 39% success in attacking duels as well as 17% shot accuracy.
Unfortunately for the Dutch giants, David Neres is unlikely to stay with the club with many big names in Europe looking for exciting wingers.
All stats are courtesy of transfrmarket, whoscored.com and Ajax official website.
Hakim Ziyech - £31.5 million
There is a new African stalwart on the block, the name of Hakim Ziyech has been doing the rounds for quite some time now even before the Dutch giant's campaign. The Moroccan international had caught the eye of the scouts during his teams World Cup run but it's his performances that have skyrocketed his fame and name.
Hakim Ziyech moved to Ajax in 2016, enjoying average goal success in his first two seasons. The arrival of Dusan Tadic from Southampton this season though has seen the Moroccan forming a deadly partnership with the Serbian. The deadly duo have been in scintillating form all season and scoring 36 goals between them in the league.
The Moroccan has been involved in 47 matches for Ajax all season scoring 21 goals and making 19 assists this season, his best ever individual season.
The winger has averaged about 5 shots, 3 key passes and 2.5 dribbles per match. He has also averaged around 2 successful crosses per match and has a successful pass percentage of around 75%.
Unfortunately for Ajax, The Moroccan will be on the move after Ajax confirmed that Ziyech will leave the club.
All stats are courtesy of transfrmarket, whoscored.com and Ajax official website.
Andre Onana - £31.5 million
Andre Onana moved from the Catalonian giants to Ajax in 2015 after coming through Samuel Eto'o foundation and spending 5 years at La Masia. The Cameroonian international broke into the first team in 2016 and was a vital figure in the young Ajax side that lost to Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final in 2016.
Having started his youth career at the La Masia and being groomed in the concept of Total Football at Ajax, Onana is the typical modern goalkeeper who is exceptionally good with the ball at his feet. Apart from the occasional blunder, Andre Onana has good judgement as well as being an exceptional athlete with impressive reflexes.
Andre Onana has played an impressive 53 matches for Ajax all season keeping 25 clean sheets to his name and conceding 47 goals, a goal conceded every 103 minutes.
Andre Onana despite being linked with a move back to Barcelona is expected to be at the Johan Cruyff Arena next season after the Cameroonian expressed his desire to have first team chances.
All stats are courtesy of transfrmarket, whoscored.com and Ajax official website.
Matthijs de Ligt - £63 million
The jewel in the crown of the young and talented Ajax side. One of the best talent's to come out of the fabled Ajax Academy in a while, Matthijs De Ligt made his debut for the Ajax reserve team at the age of 16 in 2016. He even played in the UEFA Europa League Final against Manchester United in 2017 after establishing himself as a 17-year old starter for Ajax, the youngest player ever to feature in a Europa league final.
The sale of Davinson Sanchez to Tottenham saw De Ligt being the first choice centre back of the team.
This season though the teenager has blossomed into one of the best defenders in the world marshalling his side to victories over Real Madrid and Juventus in the round of 16 and quarterfinal matches, guiding his side to their first quarterfinals since 2002-03 and first semi final appearance since the 1996/97 season.
The records kept on falling at the teenager's feet as he became the youngest ever Ajax captain this season following an injury to Joel Veltman.
De Ligt is an excellent player with the football at his feet and is a threat from the set pieces due to his big frame. The greatest aspect for the teenager though is his impeccable timing in tackling.
The Dutch international has made an impressive 53 appearances for Ajax in all competitions this season. The teenager averages more than 1 tackle, 1.3 interceptions and 4 clearances per game. His offensive side is equally good for a defender with the 19-year old averaging 1.5 shots and 0.4 key passes per match and has 7 goals and an assist to his name this season.
The teenaged sensation though is highly unlikely to stay at the Dutch capital after the end of the season with every major European club hot on the heels of the talented youngster.
All stats are courtesy of transfrmarket, whoscored.com and Ajax official website.
