Finally “Playing like a King” was the perfect caption that accompanied Ajax’s twitter post to celebrate another startling Mohammed Kudus display for the Amsterdam-based side which earned him another Man of the Match award, in a 4 – 2 drubbing of SC Heerenveen on Match day 25 of the Dutch Eredivisie, at the Abe Lenstra Stadion in Heerenveen.
That left sided pass into the bottom left corner of the goal post in Sunday’s match wasn’t the first and last time we had seen Kudus’ electrifying display for the Jews this term, although that was not all for the afternoon from the nimble-footed young attacker; he went on to assist Edson Alvarez’s goal to make it two-nil for the away side and thus, earning himself another ‘King of the match’ accolade in as many games for Ajax and more importantly, reigniting the pressure on table toppers Feyenoord.
Just six months ago, Kuku, as he is affectionately called, was left shattered when his dream move to the English Premier League via Everton was botched.
Alfred Schreuder, the then Ajax Manager at the time failed to sanction the move to Everton despite all attempts by Kudus to push the deal through – including refusing to attend training.
However, he did not allow the failed move to arguably the greatest league in the world take a toll on him; he remained resolute in his efforts knocking hard at Schreuder’s door with the World Cup in sight.
Five goals in the Champions League, including one against Liverpool at the dreaded Anfield, before the World cup break quickly reignited European interest for the 22-year-old and just after the World cup was over, clubs including Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid were clamoring for the signature of the Right to Dream graduate.
The keen interest circling the star boy has even been fueled by his versatility and ability to play anywhere upfront.
Kudus, prior to the arrival of Johnny Heitinga at Ajax had been deployed as a center forward, a position he shared with Brian Brobbey, playing as a false nine.
It is in this position that he had found his goal scoring form, scoring five goals in the Champions League.
Remarkably, Kudus seems to be in the form of his life at the moment under new Ajax Head Coach, Johnny Heitinga.
Four goal involvements in his last five games have been enough for clubs like Real Madrid to send scouts over to watch him play.
Sunday’s fixture saw Mohammed Kudus take his goal tally to 17 goals in all competitions, 11 in the Eredivisie and also managing 4 assists in all competitions.
Heitinga has not only reinstated the young attacker to his rightful place in the Ajax setup but also he has actually played him in three different positions – on the right side of midfield, as a center forward of a front three and as a wide man on the right.
It is out wide on the right as a wide man that Kuku is particularly excelling under Heitiga’s reign and that was his position during the World Cup where he scored twice against South Korea and provided an assist against Portugal.
After landing in Dutch football in the summer of 2020 and playing through two and half seasons in Amsterdam, this is the best season yet for the 22-year-old Ghanaian.
Many pundits, including myself, foresee a move for Kudus in the coming summer transfer window when it opens in July.
It is no news that European giants, Real Madrid and Manchester United have rekindled their interest in Kudus after Sunday’s scintillating performance.
That performance on Sunday was a big ‘come and get me’ plea from the young Ajax stalwart.