❌❌❌Rebuilding AJAX❌❌❌
AJAX are looking for ways to come out of the hole they've essentially dug themselves. It seems a lifetime ago but just over two years ago in February 2022, Ajax was on the peak of its powers...
Forum Discussion
With the cup title in the bank, a Dutch double was written in the cards. It's crazy to see you win the title with 13 points though! I thought it was closer than that, but you've made quite the gap over the final stages of the season.
Brobbey getting injured could be a blessing in disguise. It's not the worst time to miss him for a 3 months period, and maybe an injury over the summer will also keep the European top teams at a distance, forcing them to target other forwards in stead. Having won the goals record and secured both titles, this may have been the perfect time for him to get such injury.
SEASON 3 - 2026-2027: HERE WE GO!
Transfers up until the turn of the season:
- striker Wout Weghorst (retired)
- wingers Amourricho van Axel Dongen and Christian Rasmussen belonged to nine players that entered their final year of contract. When earlier in the year Zakaria Aboukhlal fell out with an injury, both got their chance and fell short.
- Carlos Forbs in real life is on loan at Wolverhampton (2024-25). In game, the Wolves turned up again in summer of 2025 - this time with a loan-to-buy request. I think they've taken him because the fee we agreed on in the loan-to-buy clause (€11,000,000,-) by summer 2026 was under his current market value (€12,500,000,-)
- Mathias Moens is the next academy player that gets a year out on loan, before being given a chance within the ranks of Ajax: this method allows the player to grow its OVR and also leaves a bit of surprise how the player will truly feel when he returns.
- Christiaan Peters is my first home grown academy product to make a lucrative transfer, but it feels like the first child leaving the nest.
No mention of fees for the two players here. I wonder why you left that information out?
Sandler is an interesting option. From what I can see he's only performed for PEC Zwolle and NEC Nijmegen, being a flop for the other four clubs, he's played in. Perhaps the four seasons at NEC have done him good, but still it would probably be a transfer I would be somewhat concerned by as a fan.
The same could be said about Beijmo. He's a decent player, but a 28 year old having only played in Denmark and Sweden since 2020, that hardly screams Champions League football. I like his pace and stamina stats, and he's a decent player and could be a good squad player. But that is also the case for Gaaei, isn't it? Who, as I understand it, has overcome his difficult start admirably and is more than 3 years younger than the Swede.
Don't get me wrong, these two can probably be decent squad players, coming to Ajax in a mature age and help the club and it's youngsters with their experience. Both will probably also be properly motivated to give their absolute best, finally finding themselves to be in a top club. But in my honest opinion I wouldn't have guessed them to be thought of as starters, which their squad numbers suggest.
I do like, however, that you're not targeting top shelf players, who would probably be reluctant to join an Eredevisie side IRL. But maybe this is shooting a bit low?
@JustinCase0110 no fees are yet mentioned, but they'll pass by in an overview soon.
They're all valid points, but: -
- the purpose is to implement Ajax-DNA into the team: that's where Sandler comes in - he's Amsterdam born and bread, plus he's a product of the Ajax academy, we constantly try to highlight.
- season 3 is going to be the first season in Champions League: we need (even more) players at their peak (25-30 years), but players that (as you indicate) see Ajax and Champions League as a step up.
We have an experienced goalie (Bizot, 35), an experienced midfielder (Klaassen, 33) and an experienced attacker (Becker, 31). We have talent coming up on goal (Kujalowicz, currently on loan), in defense (Amrani, Hato), on midfield (De Vries, Jansen) and in attack (Godts, Kuiper). Taylor and Brobbey (both 24 now) are edging towards their absolute peak; Danjuma (29), Aboukhlal (26), Sosa (28) and Wijndal (26) are already there.
What I am trying to say, is that every position has ticked the boxes of talent, experience, Ajax-DNA..., with the exception of the full back positions: on the right we lack experience, on the left there's no home grown player yet, or somebody with clear roots at Ajax, or in Amsterdam.
So, my logic is that if I'd have to drop one, it's Gaaei. Beijmo is a near identical copy, with better stats because he's a bit older and a bit further: +4 attacking, +5 defending, +7 skills, +10 in power, +6 in movement, identical in mentality.
Having said all that: Gaaei is not gone yet, is he? On the left back position, there's another issue: Sosa is also a Mislintat-player, Wijndal is at his peak and in his final year of contract: to be continued.
Tough pre-season. But good on you for testing some different things in preparation for the new season.
France winning the World Cup again. Quite a good run for Deschamps then. Legend. Mbappé on the scoresheet, I wonder if he scored 4 or more throughout the tournament? With 12 goals from 2018 and 2022, four more goals will equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record. With 5 goals Mbappé will hold the record for himself.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:With 5 goals Mbappé will hold the record for himself.
Mbappé got to 3 goals only: topscorers were Florian Wirtz (Ger, 9), Bukayo Saka (Eng, 5) and Alexis Vega (Mex, 4).
That is a shame about Chuba Akpom, I always thought he had potential to turn into a key player at Ajax after he failed to settle in with other clubs. Who has been the best English player to play for Ajax? Jordan Henderson?
I like the move bringing Misehouy back. He is still young and can be a dynamic player in midfield for another creative option. The moves to bring back the Ajax DNA are very obvious, a clear plan is in movement.
@LABoog4 wrote:That is a shame about Chuba Akpom, I always thought he had potential to turn into a key player at Ajax after he failed to settle in with other clubs. Who has been the best English player to play for Ajax? Jordan Henderson?
There was a striker once named Ray Clarke (late 1970s). Didn't do much in England, but was an absolute bomb in the Netherlands (Sparta, Ajax).
But of the current batch I'd say one can see the absolute quality in Henderson.
Whether he fits at Ajax is a different story...
There aren't that many players from England: CHECK THE LIST HERE
Brexit - Akpom and Mengi leaving.
I like the attention to squad numbers. I'm a squad number nerd myself and always issue the numbers for a reason; Previously worn or other reasons.
Interesting with a new winger on the cards. Eager to see whom that might be.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Brexit - Akpom and Mengi leaving.
I like the attention to squad numbers. I'm a squad number nerd myself and always issue the numbers for a reason; Previously worn or other reasons.
Interesting with a new winger on the cards. Eager to see whom that might be.
@JustinCase0110 yup, my favorite segment on transfermarket website: kit number history.
A dominating start, not only with goals but also a very high xG through three games. This feels like a team that is ready to run away with the league. The focus has to be on Europe, that will determine if the season is a success or not.
@LABoog4 wrote:A dominating start, not only with goals but also a very high xG through three games. This feels like a team that is ready to run away with the league. The focus has to be on Europe, that will determine if the season is a success or not.
It's now or never indeed, because this is the last season before some of the crucial players are leaving the nest. Plus, I feel Klaassen (33) is aging and is getting less.
And so far, so good: the new tactics and also some players in different roles are creating miracles...
@Danimal5981 wrote:yup, my favorite segment on transfermarket website: kit number history.
Yes, I'm familiar 😉
It's almost OCD-like for me, to be honest. Numbers need to fit to the position the player is going to play. Nicklas Bendtner playing with number 3 as a striker, or Wilfried Bony with number 2. Hate that to the bone. Even when I'm out playing with my +40 football team against other OldBoys/amateur sides, I have a hard time accepting the fact that our central defender picks the number 11 shirt to play in. Come on man, you KNOW you're playing in defence!
Another thing I hate is when high numbers are used. Frank Kessie with number 79 for instance. WHY? Youth players are excusable, but when they grow to senior status, they really shouldn't still play in number 47 (Foden) or 66 (Tranmere Trent) anymore IMO. Rashford was promoted in number 39, then got number 19 and then number 10. That's the way it should be. For that I really like the Spanish system, where numbers 1 to 25 needs to be used, number 1, 13 and 25 for the three keepers.
ON topic, definitely a flying start here, a 7-0 win and a win and wins vs AZ, FC Twente and PSV. Ajax are beginning to look like a true Ajax side.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Another thing I hate is when high numbers are used. Frank Kessie with number 79 for instance. WHY? Youth players are excusable, but when they grow to senior status, they really shouldn't still play in number 47 (Foden) or 66 (Tranmere Trent) anymore IMO. Rashford was promoted in number 39, then got number 19 and then number 10. That's the way it should be. For that I really like the Spanish system, where numbers 1 to 25 needs to be used, number 1, 13 and 25 for the three keepers.
ON topic, definitely a flying start here, a 7-0 win and a win and wins vs AZ, FC Twente and PSV. Ajax are beginning to look like a true Ajax side.
Ajax uses a hierarchical system, with the first 11 numbers belonging to a position:
1GK, 2RB, 3RCB, 4LCB, 5LB, 6RCM, 7RW, 8LCM, 9ST, 10CAM, 11LW.
Although they've started to let it go since 2023 under Sven Mislintat; a lot of traditional things were thrown overboard then...
Speaking of which, the new number 11 (the first out of the identified candidates fitting within the budget) is...
Most points for Norway (6,000), Czechia (5,500) and Greece (5,000).
Portugal (0,417), France (0,286), Belgium (0,200) have very weak starts.
MENTIONABLE TRANSFERS
- PSV sign goalie Matthey Ryan (free), winger Nikola Vlasic (Torino) and striker Mislav Cutuk (Din. Zagreb), but lose defender Boscagli (Monza) and striker Luuk de Jong (retired)
- Feyenoord makes big money by selling defenders Hancko (Atlético), Lotomba (Gent), Pedersen (Brøndby) and a last-minute sell of attacker Carranza (Parma). They get in return ex-Ajax goalie Kotarski and two unknown low-key attackers Antonio Cordero (Malaga) and Javi Castillo (free)
- AZ sees left back Wolfe depart for Estrela Amadora and get Biumla from Angers in return. They stunt by signing veteran Brazilian winger Willian (previously Chelsea, Arsenal, Fulham, Olympiacos)
- Twente have signed considerable names from Belgium Theo Leoni (Anderlecht) and striker Divok Origi (Milan)
- the newly created Sporting Limburg managed to sign Tadeo Allende from Celta Vigo as new star player.
Meanwhile after two years of considerable profit and low expenditure on transfers, this year Ajax has bought for as much as it has sold, though we have managed to save a lot on salary: A- level contracts (18k - 25k) of Akpom, Mengi and Weghorst (retired) are no more, with Beijmo, Sandler and Kaio all having B-level contracts (10k - 18k). Smit has made a literal 1-on-1 swap with Gaaei, including the length and salary in his contract.
First, an overview of the UEFA seedings (season 3)
AFC Ajax are content with the Champions League draw: we avoid playing teams from England and while we have a tough tail end to the campaign, [A] the last two games are at home and [B] due to the game's ingenious (ahum...,
sarcasm) transfer system, some teams aren't as strong as they used to be at the beginning of career mode. Still, the difference needs to be made in first five games of 2026.On the positive side, Juventus have been abysmal in my save. Ending +30 something in the Champions League. I hope the same for you, otherwise it could be a difficult ending to the League Phase with Bayern, Real Madrid and Juventus. Ouch. So there's a bit of pressure to get the most from the first five games, entering December with a points haul so big that you're not pushed to win against any of these giants.
Some smart transfer business and very Ajax-like with the deals.
The Champions League is all about playing the big clubs and giving fans a memorable night. You will get to do that for sure. Winning the first five games will be crucial.
Ajax v Bayern is a very even match in the Champions League. I remember the two draws in 2018/19 and at the time the records against each other were very similar.
@JustinCase0110 I'm kind of thinking traditionally here: double digits (or: 10 points) out of those first five games: I feel I ought to get results against AC Sparta and FC Shakhtar and the other four points from the games against Leipzig, Roma and Sevilla. That way, any point against Real, Juve or Bayern is a bonus.
@LABoog4 I don't know what to expect really. But looking at team details, I see Leipzig have a squad that includes Denzel Dumfries and Richarlison now, they could be stronger than their original team. However, I look at Juventus and I think that on a good day, I can defeat them. Like I said: it's season 3 (2026/27) and we need to start letting go how those teams are now (in 2024/25), we can no longer see these teams through a lense of what is essentially the past. I see Bayern and as long as Harry Kane doesn't get a shot at goal, I'm good. But then, there's still a transfer window in between...
Leipzig coming out of the dressing room sharper than us: that's all
Although it needs to be said that the difference between two real face strikers from licensed leagues have a disproportional large advantage over defenders. Read: in this game speed & acc are everything - good positioning or awareness of a defender do not compensate for it. It sometimes is very annoying because you cannot play against it. I'm in total control large portions of the game, but when the ball arrives at a Baumgartner, Openda or a Richarlison, it doesn't really matter: the central defenders are sluggishly helpless. Another point is the script of the game, also very difficult to go against even though you know what is going to happen at a certain phase of the game. It takes the fun away of actually playing these Champions League games.
Unlucky loss by the stats story. I agree with you on the game script, even for teams like Dortmund. They might not have the biggest names but when I play them or a Bayern, every striker they have is unstoppable.
I do think the game is more realistic when playing a league outside the main three big ones in EA terms (PL, Ligue 1, La Liga).
@LABoog4 wrote:I do think the game is more realistic when playing a league outside the main three big ones in EA terms (PL, Ligue 1, La Liga).
Defo!
It has become clear that this season the Eredivisie will be for Ajax to lose. Wins come easily for us, while others are struggling: Feyenoord was the team weakened most after the transfers, so their 18 points are actually quite a feat. PSV is starting to recover from a weak start, while Twente has to come from further down. But the gap to everybody else after only eight games is huge...
