Kroes explains where things went wrong. ,, We could not get all the players we wanted, because we also had to take into account the balance between the financial and the sporting. When do you sell and when do you buy? ”
It turned out to be feasible to get the 20-year-old James McConnell for that position. ,, James can bring something that we do not yet have in the selection. He is not the experienced power of 35 years that the leader is, but I hope he will show why we got it. ”
From PSV and Ajax to Telstar and Volendam: these are all summer transfers in the Eredivisie
Despite the fact that there was no one-on-one replacement from Jordan Henderson, according to Kroes, this transfer summer also went well. ,, The objective has been achieved. Financially we take a huge step forward and we are where we want to be. We also take steps, although it is not yet perfect. But there is an optimistic feeling. “
Trust in John Heitinga
He also indirectly expresses his confidence in trainer John Heitinga. “We have to give everyone the time to lay the puzzle pieces well.”
Official: Kasper Dolberg returns to Ajax after six years
The selection is about the balance he says he is satisfied. ,, We were able to fit in more youth and achieved extra creativity. With players, such as Ko Itakura and Kasper Dolberg, we also brought in strong holders who are now in their ‘Peak Performance Age’ (best age to perform, ed.). We have taken a big step in that. It is not yet perfect and not finished yet, but in the coming transfer windows we will continue to take further steps. ”
Expectations at Ajax
Performing immediately is now the assignment. ,, You hope to have twelve points after four games. Are we already there? No. We still have to take steps. The difficult thing is for today’s people, including Heitinga and myself, that expectations have increased. ”
The technical director: ,, Last year we could still say: if we end up top three, it is an achievement, seen where we come from. We became second. Then we cleared a lot of ‘debris.’ Expectations are increasing. There is more pressure on it. I am confident that players, staff and we ourselves keep the rows closed. And that we ensure that we take good steps in sport. “