The only 17-year-old Amourricho of Axel Dongen has been included by coach Erik ten Hag in Ajax’s match selection for Sunday’s top match against PSV. The team from Amsterdam has an almost fit team. Mohammed Kudus is not yet available.
In the run-up to the squatter, both in Eindhoven and in Amsterdam, the press conference was more about players than the game itself.
The names of Ihattaren, Bergwijn and Tagliafico were reviewed. Ten Hag did not want to comment on the possible arrival of the first two. “I will not comment on names or rumours. We never make statements about that at Ajax. Only if someone is an Ajax player can I give my opinion. Shall we talk about PSV?”
What did become clear is that Ajax will not attract a replacement for Neres at all costs. Ten Hag: “We have done our preparatory work. We are exploring those possibilities, but we also have internal guys who can fill that vacancy.”
Talent
De Tukker mentioned the name of Daramy, but also that of the young talent Van Axel Dongen. The 17-year-old attacker was in the cup match against Excelsior Maassuis (9-0) in the base. Last Sunday he made his Eredivisie debut against FC Utrecht (0-3).
Ten Hag chooses not to let the youngster play at Jong Ajax against Telstar on Sunday, but to take him to Eindhoven. “He has the qualities to fill Neres’s position, yes, but he can also handle the point.”
Departure Tagliafico
The trainer understands that Tagliafico would like to leave Ajax. The Argentinian has fallen on the second plan, but as far as Ten Hag is concerned, he remains. “I will fight to keep him. With him we have seven defenders. If he goes, the wash will be thin.”
The Ajax coach did not want to say too much about opponent PSV either. “Toppers are fantastic to play. Players are challenged to play to the best of their ability. But I won’t go into the differences and similarities with PSV. I want to cross swords on the field. It often lies in these kinds of matches close to each other. Matches are decided on details. Ajax’s form was better last time.”
PSV start the game in Eindhoven with a lead of one point in the ranking over Ajax. Kick-off is at 2:30 PM.