Mixed feelings on this, if Spurs reach the SFs. Ajax have been the team of the tournament, and they deserve to reach the final.
His career's winding down at the right time. VAR will significantly sort out cheats like him. The teams containing skilled divers who "rely on the kindness of officials" are going to have to score more legitimate goals and can expect to see more red cards...
...and yet their average age is about 17. Quite an incredible side to watch and what makes them more impressive is that the Dutch league is miles behind the major european leagues in terms of quality, yet they can still mix things up with the very best (see PSG for an example of how playing in a ****e league sometimes doesn't work). They play as the fearless underdogs. That should have been us in Poch's 1st CL campaign but we were given such a completely crap group we were ironically labelled as favourites from day 1 and that, as you say, led to all the psychological pressure which led to the doubt which led to the colossal cock up that the campaign became. It's the factor that worries me more than any: going into the Ajax game as favourites will work against us as I still don't believe we've solved the mentality problem. But it's all academic anyway as City will thrash us tonight and Sissoko will revert to the inept player of last season #rcl.
You mistake "quality" for the amount of money in a league. The technical quality of Ajax reared talent is not in doubt. FOUR such players are currently in the squad of the team you support. If the Spurs academy was anywhere near comparable, the club net spend could be zero forever.
Ajax's deserved reputation for developing talent attracts more top talent. They then have a far less competitive and physical league in which to blood that talent. Finally, they're pretty much guaranteed a top 3 finish every season, which keeps them in European football. There's no equivalent in England, since United in1999 because now, the league's so competitive that Chelsea and Citeh won't use the talent that they've hoarded by illegal incentives. We're reduced to recruiting local kids and Troy Parrott. It could become more for us and others but only if FIFA, UEFA and the FA seriously up their game...
Considering how regularly their players are leeched by financially richer leagues (Spurs being a major benefactor of late) and not collapse into domestic obscurity, Ajax have a lot to thank their academy for. As for the less competitive/physical claim, all those players seem to have little/no trouble in stepping up in those leagues where said aspects are being claimed to be more demanding. Proof methinks that well-taught core technical competence is easier to transplant into any league than your typical big/fast kid who has little more to offer than that.
The "history" of Juventus will record that their team, at home, with 5 time CL winner CR7 in their ranks : 1. got beaten in a CL tie by effectively a team of kids 2. had Chiellini as part of their defence
I look at Foyth as an example. He's just not ready to play a full season at PL level. The quality of player that he'd be up against is a couple of levels up on anything in the Dutch league, physically and in terms of talent. In Holland he'd be a first team regular. Chelsea send their kids to Arnhem, as we've sent Edwards to Excelsior. They're not there to learn dutch but to play first team football in an environment they can flourish in.
Not necessarily. I'm just pointing out that he didn't play, either last night or the first leg. I'd also say that he's been a great defender for Juve and has been unfortunate to be in a **** Italian national team.
I've long thought that the best way of turning a good young player into an established star is simply to play him week in week out. It helps confidence if the team is winning as well which is where Ajax can take risks that others can't.
