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These are summer transfers that barely raised an eyebrow – but now it seems to be two of the signings of the season.
Considered surplus to the needs of their Premier League clubs, Ajax hired Dusan Tadic, 30, from Southampton for £ 10m, and Daley Blind, 29, from Manchester United for the amount. initial amount of £ 14 million.
Nine months later, the Dutch club seems to be a clever company.
Serbian striker Tadic has just scored his 34th goal and scored his 21st badist of the season, while Blind formed a formidable defensive partnership with 19-year-old Dutch captain and teammate Matthijs de Ligt.
The two men play a key role in the Ajax team, which will play three games in a row. They will be lined up at Tottenham in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday (kickoff of 20:00 BST).
Although the transfer fees of Tadic and Blind may seem inexpensive in the Premier League, they are considered expensive purchases for Ajax and the Dutch top. The signing of the club record remains the Serbian winger Miralem Sulejmani, who they bought for £ 14.63 million in 2008.
Dutch football expert Elko Born said the club had recently changed its transfer strategy by increasing its salary cap and bringing in more experienced players.
Ajax's manager, Erik ten Hag, and the director of football, Marc Overmars, decided at the end of last season that their team "lacked experience – players in their mid-twenties" .
"It was a big step, but the investment paid off," Born told BBC Sport. "The combination of the rise of Frenkie de Jong and De Ligt, two of Europe 's greatest talents and astute and clever nominations for a lot of money, has allowed players to get on with it. align for the Ajax. "
Tadic rivals the best of Europe
Tadic scored 24 goals in 162 games for Southampton in four years, but he has already surpbaded that total in just 51 games for Ajax.
He is second behind Luuk de Jong (PSV Eindhoven), who has 27 goals in the goals table Eredivisie, among the top national scorers in Europe and second behind Barcelona striker Lionel Messi for his contributions in goals in the League of Nations. champions.
Ajax has scored 160 goals this season – the highest number ever recorded by a Dutch club – and Tadic has been involved in 34% of them.
Two of those aids and goals were scored in Real Madrid's 4-1 demolition in the last 16 games of the Champions League – a performance that earned him a rare 10/10 rating from the prestigious French newspaper L & # 39; Team.
"Ajax fans are not used to buying Premier League players," said Born. "They remember Tadic since his [Dutch clubs] Groningen and FC Twente and planned great things. But he had an amazing season, better than expected. "
Ten Hag gave Tadic a free role at his side. He often plays the left wing, but he led the straight line as a fake nine.
He and Moroccan attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech are the creators of Ajax. They had the freedom to play in front of midfielders De Jong, Lbade Schone and Donny van de Beek.
Tadic said that he was "tired" of the Premier League, suggesting that offensive players do not get enough protection from referees.
"The Premier League may have been too physical for him, but it really suits Ajax's style of play," adds Born. "It's a technical team that wants the ball and makes its way through defense with smart football."
The success of Tadic has been such this season, he is already linked to a departure of the club – Ten Hag does not think to be able to go higher.
"We are in the semifinals of the Champions League, at which level should he be able to compete?" Ten Hag said earlier in April.
"He had a lot of fun in this role and an incredible comeback, I think he has never achieved such a return, he has already taken this step to a higher level."
Blind at home
Manchester United fans may well cast an envious look towards Ajax as their team fights to defend themselves.
Blind was brought to United by his compatriot Louis van Gaal in 2014, but his appearances were reduced under Jose Mourinho and he joined his kids' club in July.
The Dutch international has started every game of Eredivisie for Ajax, completing the most successful pbades of the competition this season and scoring five goals. He also started the 10 games of the Champions League.
"The fans were more skeptical about Blind," said Born. "The transfer fees were huge, especially for a defender, but this skepticism has disappeared, it proved that it was well worth the money."
The blind is another advantage of the Ten Hag system and its relationship with De Ligt has been key to the success of Ajax.
Born added: "It was not done for the Premier League, the defenders can be physical and it was more long balls forward against powerful attackers.
"But Ajax has the ball all the time.There's not a lot of defense in terms of duels or heads, it's about being in the right position to receive the ball and help the attack.
"Ligt is stronger than Blind – it's no longer a plug – while Blind is more technical and plays a more active role in the future." De Light's confidence seems to have made Blind more confident they are excellent partners and have excellent chemistry. "
| Blind & # 39; s Eredivisie 2018-19 stats |
|---|
| Games started: 32 |
| goals: 5 |
| aid: 3 |
| pbades: 2508 |
| Successful pbades: 2220 (First in league) |
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