Alderweireld remains committed to Tottenham

Belgium international Toby Alderweireld has suggested that he remains committed to the north London side despite the continuous speculation regarding his future.

The centre-back is set to be reunited with Ajax when Spurs entertain them in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final but the defender has stressed that there won’t be any emotions during the tie.

He said: “I can make very popular statements, but I don’t know what’s coming my way. I do not say ‘no’ in advance for the future. But I am now fully focused on Tottenham and after that I also have a contract for one season. We will mainly have to play our own game. But at times when we are under pressure, we have to defend well and there may be moments to break out. But we can also put pressure, actually all the ways of playing football.”

Ajax have reached the final four of the Champions League after getting the better of Juventus and Real Madrid over the past two rounds, but Spurs have likewise proved their mettle after ousting Manchester City, who were regarded as the favourites to secure the European crown.

As such, an even contest can be anticipated between the teams and it remains to be seen whether the fitness could have any impact on the game.
Spurs had a tough derby against West Ham United on Saturday where Ajax had the weekend off and that has already been stated by manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has been far from pleased with the help from FA. Meanwhile, Alderweireld’s future remains a talking point with his contract expiring at the end of next season, and so far, he has been reluctant to pen terms at the north London side.

This has spread suggestions that he could be sold during the summer transfer window and Ajax could make an approach for their former graduate.

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars has previously indicated that the club are hopeful of luring both Alderweireld and teammate Jan Vertonghen back to Amsterdam in the future.

Frenkie de Jong admits he could have joined Tottenham

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has admitted that he could have joined Tottenham Hotspur during last summer’s transfer window.

The Netherlands international is widely regarded as one of the best midfield prospects in the Eredivisie and he recently made the headlines after reaching a transfer agreement to join Barcelona in the summer.

In a report covered by Goal.com, De Jong acknowledged that he could have made the switch to the north London side last year but he decided to remain committed to Ajax for at least another season, he said: “I considered their [Tottenham] offer long and hard. I see Tottenham as a very stable club, and they are only getting better. They give young players a chance and I see Mauricio Pochettino as a manager who really improves young players. I like the kind of football they are playing. I think it would have suited my game. The moment wasn’t right. I wasn’t finished at Ajax, as I hadn’t yet played a full season in my own position.”

De Jong’s decision to stay put with Ajax no doubt triggered interest from other elite European clubs, but the midfielder eventually decided to join Barcelona after a private phone discussion with Lionel Messi.

The Catalan giants have remain secure in the centre of the park with multiple options this term but they are nonetheless looking into the future with De Jong capable of staying put for more than a decade, should he remain grounded.

Elsewhere, the potential arrival of De Jong has triggered concerns over the future of Ivan Rakitic. In a recent interview, the Dutchman said that he has been assured of a regular starting role with the switch to the Camp Nou and reports suggest that could directly hamper Rakitic’s position. The Croatia international has been linked with Juventus and Manchester United in the past.

Andre Onana calm over future amid Barcelona return talk

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has said that he is calm regarding his future amid the ongoing speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona. The Cameroon international was in the youth ranks of the Blaugrana before making the switch to the Dutch outfit in 2016, and he has since become a regular between the sticks under Erik ten Hag.

Moreover, he has been consistent with his performances at a high level and this has touted him for a probable comeback with the Spanish champions when the season comes to a close. When asked about the same, Onana stressed that he has yet to witness any contact from his former employers regarding the same and he is presently content with the first-team duties in Amsterdam.
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Onana calm over future amid Barcelona return talk

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has said that he is calm regarding his future amid the ongoing speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona.

The Cameroon international was in the youth ranks of the Blaugrana before making the switch to the Dutch outfit in 2016, and he has since become a regular between the sticks under Erik ten Hag.

Moreover, he has been consistent with his performances at a high level and this has touted him for a probable comeback with the Spanish champions when the season comes to a close. When asked about the same, Onana stressed that he has yet to witness any contact from his former employers regarding the same and he is presently content with the first-team duties in Amsterdam.

He said: “There hasn’t been any contact, or at least none that I know of. You have to talk to my agent to ask what the situation is. I think I’m able to play for a big team, but I’m already at a club with the chance to do big things. I already said that returning to Barcelona would be a dream, but right now I’m fulfilling another one. We’ll see what happens.”

Jasper Cillessen is currently the second-choice keeper in the Barcelona ranks but the Dutchman has been tipped to make way from the Camp Nou in the search for regular gametime. As such, Onana has been earmarked as a probable option to play deputy to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and it remains to be seen whether the Catalan giants will make a formal approach to pursue him.

Meanwhile, Ajax have witnessed a great transformation of fortunes over the past 12 months and they are currently tussling for the top-flight title with just five points separating them from PSV with a game in hand. They have also progressed to the quarter finals of the Champions League after the shock 5-3 aggregate triumph over holders Real Madrid.

DE JONG: WE CAN BEAT REAL MADRID

Barcelona-bound Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has revealed that his Dutch side are very capable of coming away with a positive result when they welcome European champions Real Madrid to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday.

De Jong believes that “a little luck” could help seal his club’s passage to the UEFA Champions League quarter finals when Real Madrid come visiting for a round of 16 clash.
Continue reading “DE JONG: WE CAN BEAT REAL MADRID”

Andre Onana hopes Matthijs de Ligt joins Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has urged Matthijs de Ligt to follow Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona in the near future. De Jong recently penned a pre-contract with Barcelona over a summer move and there has since been strong speculation linking De Ligt with a reunion with the Netherlands international.

Speaking to reporters, Onana, who was previously in the Barcelona ranks, believes De Ligt should follow the same route as his compatriot with the countrymen sharing a good bond alongside each other. He added that De Jong is pleased to have sealed the move to the Spanish champions and he had urged the midfielder to do so a few months ago, he said:“I hope that De Ligt goes to Barca too, they are great friends and they would love it. I spoke about it with them. De Jong is very happy at going to Barca, two months ago I told him to go to Barca.”
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Is Erik ten Hag being too harsh on his players?

Generally the manager of a team, which has won 12 out of the 14 games in the domestic league and has already made it to the pre quarter final round in Europe with one game still to play, is a happy man and would rather want to talk about the positive traits of his team than to talk about the weaknesses, but Erik ten Hag, the man in charge of Ajax, is a different sort of character.

Hag was still talking about where his team was faltering and what they should look to improve after the game against AEK Athens where a victory ensured Ajax’s entry to the pre quarter finals in Europe. Hag also singled out a few players whom he said were not at their best and had to contribute more for the team going ahead. Continue reading “Is Erik ten Hag being too harsh on his players?”

Ajax chief keen on keeping hold of goalkeeper Andre Onana

Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has spoken about the ambition of keeping hold of goalkeeper Andre Onana amid the ongoing interest from Barcelona. The Cameroonian keeper graduated through the La Masia academy before making the switch to Amsterdam and he has been theclub’s first-choice shot-stopper over the past two-and-a-half seasons.

Amidst this, Onana has been touted for a probable return to the Camp No in January but Van der Sar has appeared to rebuff the speculation by citing that the club are planning to keep their main players for the long-term, he said: “Also He was in a rush to play first-team football quickly, but I think the level that he composed himself and that first year, playing straight away the Europa League final was a great start.

“Last year was a difficult season but this year again he has proven to be extremely valuable for the team and besides that, he is a great guy. We develop great players, not only in Amsterdam but hopefully also in Cape Town and there is interest in a lot of our players, but we like to keep them for as long as possible. I think there are always a lot of rumours about players from Ajax.”

Barcelona are currently comfortably placed with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jasper Cillessen performing the roles of first-choice and second-choice goalkeepers respectively. However, the latter of those two could part ways with the club during the winter period with his quest to regular game time for both club and country.Owing to this, Onana has been highlighted as a potential option but judging by the comments made by Van der Sar, Ajax remain determined to ward off any interest when the transfer window reopens. Ajax have made a positive start to the campaign with 11 wins from the opening 13 matches but they are still six points off table-toppers and reigning champions PSV Eindhoven, who have made the perfect start to the season.

Ajax supporters assaulted in Athens

The trip to Athens proved to be very fruitful for Ajax from a results point of view (they were able to secure a clinical 2-0 victory and ensured their qualification to the next stage of the Champions League.

Sadly the supporters of the club who flew to the Greek capital to enjoy the game won’t return with very fond memories because they were subject to violence and had to suffer the assault of not only the home supporters, but also the Police. It’s been reported that some visiting supporters actually had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Continue reading “Ajax supporters assaulted in Athens”

Xavi backs Frenkie de Jong to make Barcelona move

Barcelona legend Xavi believes Ajax’s versatile midfielder Frenkie de Jong can be regarded as the perfect fit for the Catalan giants in terms of his playing style. The Dutchman has caught the attention of a number of elite clubs after his impressive progress in Amsterdam but the Blaugrana are nevertheless said to be leading the race for his services.

Speaking to reporters, Xavi indicated that the Dutchman’s style of play familiarises to that of Sergio Busquets and believes he is the kind of player that Barcelona require in the centre of the park, he said: “I have not seen him play a lot, but he does look like Sergio Busquets in terms of playing style. The Ajax school is a bit like the one in Barcelona.
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