The secret of long-term success lies in cultivating a distinctive set of values, as Jim Collins opined in his bestseller “Good to Great”. This usually means promoting from within and laying down deep local roots.
It’s advice that has been followed in Amsterdam, for as long as anyone can remember, and more so this season.
Ajax, who face Manchester United in this season’s Europa League final, are synonymous with youth education and development. No fewer than 20 players aged 21 or below have featured for the Dutch giants since their campaign began last July.
Part of the reason is due to economics, unlike their uber-wealthy rivals, the Amsterdammers don’t have the means to spend up to £30m on a single player, and because of the modest league they play in they are unlikely to attract the very best.
Those who are not rich must be smart, as the club’s greatest son and ideologue Johan Cruyff once put it, and that has been the case in the last few years. Ajax’s esteemed youth academy, known simply as De Toekomst (The Future), has this season been named the best in the Netherlands.
A prized accolade considering the strength of competition, most notably from eternal foes Feyenoord, but it’s purpose is more than educating and developing.
Ajax aim to promote at least two academy graduates into their first team every season. They’ve outdone themselves having five make their full senior professional debuts under manager Peter Bosz, who succeeded four-time Dutch title-winning manager Frank de Boer last summer.
Understandably, given the club’s record of producing stars, many of whom helped them win their six European titles – including four European Cups – there’s excitement surrounding those who have recently began their footballing journey.
Here are eight, some more known than others, to keep an eye on.
Kasper Dolberg
Age: 19
Position: Striker
Not a product of Ajax, but someone who is benefiting from the lessons provided in Amsterdam, the 19-year-old Danish marksman has quickly made a name for himself in his first season with the Dutch giants and in the process established himself in the Denmark national team.
Dolberg, who joined from Silkeborg in July 2015, has made 47 appearances this season registering 23 goals and creating a further eight. His goal away to Lyon, sixth in the Europa League, ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as Ajax reached a first major European final since 1996.
Unsurprisingly his performances has attracted the attention of many across Europe, but Dolberg – who joined Ajax initially because of their reputation of giving young players a chance – feel there’s more learning to do and will remain at the club beyond this season.
Justin Kluivert
Age: 18
Position: Winger
It’s never easy being the son of a footballing legend, more so if that man is idolised at the club you are playing at, an 18-year-old Patrick Kluivert became immortal among the Ajax faithful when his 85th-minute strike against Milan in Vienna earned the Amsterdammers their fourth European Cup.
Interestingly this season’s Europa League final falls on the 22nd anniversary of Louis van Gaal’s greatest managerial triumph and some are envisaging his son Justin, who broke into Bosz’s first team in January, replicating such a moment.
Unlike his father, Justin is modern winger rather than a striker, blessed with pace and natural agility; he’s shown in a handful of first-team matches why many were so excited by him during his youth days.
To date, he’s featured across 20 matches, scoring twice and creating a further five goals. A squad player this season, there’s a strong chance of him being a regular starter next term.
Matthijs de Ligt
Age: 17
Position: Central defence
Even before he made his first-team debut, comparisons were being made with a young Ronald Koeman and Jan Vertonghen, and the 17-year-old hasn’t helped to quash the hype with some incredible standout performances most notably in the Europa League.
If he features against United, and the likelihood is he will, then De Ligt will become the youngest player – at 17 years and 285 days old – to play in a major Uefa club competition final.
Understandably, there’s caution, as history has shown young players are vulnerable and prone to inconsistency. We saw that on De Ligt’s international debut against Bulgaria – subsequently becoming the nation’s youngest debutant since 1931 – when two individual errors cost Oranje the game.
However, such is his mental fortitude, De Ligt bounced back and reaffirmed himself as a once in a generation defensive talent.
Vaclav Cerny
Age: 19
Position: Winger
A host of elite clubs vied for the Czech winger’s signature before he decided to join Ajax in 2014 from boyhood club FK Pribram.
He’s been unlucky this season, due to injury, not to feature as much as he would have liked to. Since breaking into the Amsterdammers first team, in the 2015/16 season he’s gone on to make 19 appearances scoring three times and creating three more goals.
A left-footed forward, though deployed on the right flank, he possesses Robben-esque tendencies as well as the wherewithal to become a star.
Abdelhak Nouri
Age: 20
Position: Central midfielder
A homage to the club’s past masters. Nouri, a ridiculously gifted playmaker, has in some quarters been compared to Cruyff due to his great technique and first touch.
However, he’s far from a Cruyff-type player. Instead – due to his stature – he models himself on Andrés Iniesta, who is a living testament to the fact that what you lack in talent strength and physique, you can more than make up for in terms of technical attributes.
In his 15 senior appearances for Ajax this season, he’s displayed a range of passing that is almost Xavi-esque, three of which has led to a goal.
Frenkie de Jong
Age: 20
Position: Central midfielder
De Jong joined from Willem II in 2015 but retains the hallmarks of a classic Ajax midfielder. Tall, languid and elegant, he’s cut from the same cloth as Sergio Busquets. In the 10 appearances he’s made, totalling 275 minutes, De Jong has brought calmness and composure, retaining and recycling possession in the ‘No.6’ role, a position he is certain to make his own.
Deyovaiso Zeefuik
Age: 19
Position: Right-back
The potential departures of Kenny Tete and Joel Veltman in the summer will open the door for Zeefuik, who recently made his first-team debut, albeit a brief 21-minute cameo against Heerenveen.
Zeefuik, born and raised in Amsterdam, is a typical Ajax full-back who marauds forward at every opportunity, but recognises the importance of defensive solidity.
Carel Eiting
Age: 19
Position: Defensive midfielder
It’s not a question of if but when Eiting becomes a regular under Bosz.
Another who embodies that which Ajax stands for, that is being capable of playing in a multiple number of roles, Eiting has already for the club’s under-19 and under-21 teams been utilised as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and central defender.
In every role he’s performed effectively, and it’s no surprise many see him as a future captain material; this universality will stand him in good stead as well as making him a reliable squad member.
Nominally a defensive midfielder – competition for the ‘number six’ role will be tough – Eiting’s technical attributes are that of a modern dynamic midfielder.
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