In Focus: Ajax's next wave of hot prospects

 

Most sides would struggle to replace the likes of Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech and Sergino Dest — but Ajax’s youth system is the gift that keeps on giving.

Year after year, a raft of talented youngsters continues to emerge from the club’s famed De Toekomst academy at an astonishing rate.

Ahead of this evening’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, we look at the latest crop of footballing prodigies to emerge at the Eredivisie champions.

Ryan Gravenberch

Central midfielder Ryan Gravenberch became Ajax’s youngest debutant aged 16 years and 130 days in September 2018 — surpassing Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf.  

Still only 18, Gravenberch is a sublime passer who is equally adept at breaking up play and he has already contributed three Eredivisie assists in 2020-21. 

It is no surprise Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus are reportedly monitoring a player dubbed ‘the new Paul Pogba’ in some quarters. 

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

An injury to star man Mohammed Kudus afforded Jurgen Ekkelenkamp a shot at first-team football this season and the attacking midfielder has grasped his opportunity with both hands.  

The 20-year-old has contributed three goals and two assists in just 229 minutes of action but found himself rather surprisingly dropped to the bench for Ajax’s last game against Emmen. 

His second-half goal in that 5-0 victory will have given manager Erik ten Hag something of an enjoyable selection headache ahead of tonight’s contest.

Jurrien Timber

Famous Danish twins Brian and Michael Laudrup both played for Ajax during their careers, but the Dutch giants will be hoping to produce their own stars in the form of academy graduates Quinten and Jurrien Timber.  

It is Jurrien who is most likely to make an impact this season after making his first Eredivisie start of the campaign against Groningen in October. 

Despite only being 5ft 10in, the 19-year-old centre-back makes up for a lack of height with explosive pace and excellent positional ability. 

Lassina Traore

Signed from feeder club Ajax Cape Town upon turning 18, Burkinabe forward Traore has not looked back since arriving in the Netherlands.  

The teenage marksman has been in sensational form, racking up seven goals and four assists — including an incredible five-goal haul in Ajax’s 13-0 demolition of VVV Venlo. 

Cousin of Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore, it may not be too long until he joins him in one of Europe’s elite leagues should he maintain his current form.

There will undoubtedly be plenty of suitors for a player who has already seen comparisons drawn between himself and former Ajax great Patrick Kluivert.  

Perr Schuurs

Liverpool fans will be keeping a particularly close eye on Perr Schuurs (pictured above) when Ajax visit Merseyside this evening. 

Schuurs, 21, has trialled at Anfield before and only last week the centre-back was linked with a move to the Premier League champions by various news outlets.  

A 6ft 3in presence at the back, Schuurs’ playing style has similarities to Barcelona’s Matthijs de Ligt and he would appear ready-made to slot into the centre of Liverpool’s injury-ravaged defence.