• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

Deciphering the KUDUS Conundrum at Ajax Amsterdam

Benjamin Nketsia by Benjamin Nketsia
August 8, 2022
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

As one of the brightest spots for the Ajax Amsterdam side in the lead up to a new Eredivisie Season, many believe the 2022-2023 campaign is the take over year for Ghana’s talented midfielder Mohammed Kudus. Heading into his third year at the Dutch club, not dealing with lingering injuries and scoring an eye candy of a goal against PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup fueled optimism that the 22 year old Ghanaian international will torch opposing teams and move on to a richer, stronger league.

However, that hope took a nose dive in the opening week of the new season as Kudus made a cameo appearance in Ajax’s 3-2 against Fortuna Sittard. Kudus replaced Steven Bergwijn in the 90th minute to the disappointment of many and leading to major questions about the hand Mohammed has been dealt at Ajax.

Such questions are legitimate considering Kudus Mohammed is the brightest creator on a Black Stars team that has so far struggled to consistently create sustained goal scoring opportunities under new Head Coach Otto Addo.

His influence is crucial to Ghana’s quest to either match its best run in the history of the World Cup via a quarterfinal appearance or go a step or two steps further when the 2022 edition commences in Qatar. Mercurial players like Kudus barring indulging in nefarious activities see the field a ton especially for clubs that believe in young players like Ajax. So why is the former Right To Dream Academy standout youngster still struggling for game time at his club?

The basic denominator at Ajax is top level quality and all players on the four time European Champions payroll are quality. All advantages, no matter how slight they could be end up being the deal clincher for players to earn minutes for the team. In the case of Kudus, he is in a fight against Dutch Football’s Grand Establishment and that is no mean beast to conquer in spite of Kudus’ immense talent.

For Dutch football, Ajax is what Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are to Italian football, what Bayern Munich is to German football, what Barcelona and Real Madrid are to Spanish football and what Manchester United and Liverpool are to English football.

Every detail is scrutinized to fall in line with ideals started by Rinus Michels and propagated by Johann Cruyff with the Dutch National Football Team’s success always eyed in the broad scheme. There is always a “me first nationalist” twist these clubs deal with and this trait is ubiquitous in all leagues. In the just ended Ghana Premier League, a strong contingent of Ghanaian football fans pushed for Yaw Annor, a native of the land, to win the League’s Goal King Race ahead of Cameroonian Franck Etouga Mbella.

Ajax lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in the win over Fortuna, while fielding nine Dutch players in its starting unit with only Brazilian Antony and Serb Dusan Tadic as the exceptions. Out of the nine Dutch players in the starting lineup, five including Daley Blind, Jurrien Timber and Steven Berghuis) are regulars in Louis Van Gaal’s National setup.

The remaining quartet is primed to move into the national setup at the senior level in a couple of years after starring in the junior national teams. Kenneth Taylor and Right Full Back Devyne Rensch fall into this category after starring in the Netherlands European title winning team at the Under 17 level in 2019.

The midfield trio that started against Fortuna had Blind, Taylor and Berghuis in it; Blind operated as a Defensive Midfielder a role Kudus isn’t suited to play and Taylor is too highly regarded by the Ajax establishment to make way for Kudus. Mexican Edson Alvarez mans the middle of Ajax’s three man midfield but missed the tie due to suspension.

In attack, Tadic is the Captain, Antony is untouchable and Bergwijn is Ajax’s high profile signing this offseason. This essentially means there is no room for Kudus in the starting lineup barring an injury to a player manning a position either side of Blind/Alvarez in midfield or a player manning the laterals in attack.

20 year old Taylor worked his way into the Ajax setup from the team’s junior outfit Jong Ajax at a time where Kudus was dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of action for months.  The tables could turn in Kudus favour later this season but Kudus’ best shot at landing a spot in the starting unit or moving on to see extensive playing time at a top team goes through the dunes of Qatar.

Mohammed needs an excellent tournament at the 2022 World Cup to push his market value up and give him an easier path to claim a prominent role in his club career as he did at Nordsjaelland in Denmark.

Patience, a bit of luck and timely performances is what Kudus needs to have that career defining moment all the greats have; whether that moment comes immediately at Ajax or another team is to be determined in the coming months.

Source: Yaw Adjei-Mintah
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Hearts of Oak announce signing of Yassan Ouatching

Next Post

Sudanese side Al-Hilal sign Asante Kotoko’s Imoro Ibrahim

Related Posts

Football

Central Football Association successfully hold Ordinary Congress ahead of league start

December 8, 2023
CAF Champions League

CAF CL: Young Africans hold Medeama SC to one-all draw in Kumasi

December 8, 2023
Football

Ghanaian duo is special and has big potential- MSK Zilina Scout

December 8, 2023
Football

Court orders Asamoah Gyan to pay GH₵1m to journalist over malicious prosecution

December 8, 2023
Thomas Partey Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Premier League

Would be incredible for Thomas Partey to recover fast from his injury- Arteta

December 8, 2023
Kudus Photo Courtesy: West Ham
Premier League

Kudus has been exceptional in different ways for West Ham-David Moyes

December 8, 2023
Football

Ex Liverpool & Newcastle star, Andy Carrol fancies All Star Festival 2024 appearance.

December 8, 2023
Football

BIBIANI GOLD STARS : Frimpong Manso’s appointment will motivate team – Akwasi Adu

December 7, 2023
Load More
Next Post

Sudanese side Al-Hilal sign Asante Kotoko's Imoro Ibrahim

Top Stories

BREAKING: Black Stars forward Raphael Dwamena dies in action for Albanian side

CAF Medical Officer advises Raphael Dwamena to quit football over recurring heart problems

Ampem Darkoa makes semis; bags $200,000 with chance to win additional $200,000

Alan Kyerematen shows off impressive boxing skills against Bukom Banku [VIDEO]

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 8th December, 2023 December 8, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News: Thursday, 7th December, 2023 December 7, 2023 Citi97.3
  • ⁠#TotalEnergiesAutoShow⁠: Car Fire safety with Ing. Jacob Mensah and host Jude Mensa Duncan December 7, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show: Thursday, 7th December, 2023 December 7, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Monday, 4th December, 2023 December 4, 2023 Citi97.3
  • The Big Issue: NPP parliamentary primaries in orphan constituencies | Saturday, 2nd December, 2023 December 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Famlife, Saturday, 2nd December, 2023 December 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 1st December, 2023 December 1, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Business Edition: Friday, 1st December, 2023 December 1, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News: Thursday, 30th November, 2023 November 30, 2023 Citi97.3
Citi Sports Online

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT