Going Dutch

For a lesson on how to rebuild your team; look no further than Ajax Amsterdam of 2022-23. The perennial Eridivisie champions seemed to have gone mad; selling their key players left; right & centre: Antony & Lisandro Martinez were shipped off to Manchester United (not that Antony wanted to stay btw); but also their star striker Sebastien Haller; young star Ryan Gravenberch & left-back Nicolas Tagliafico.

Well not to worry; they brought in some inspiring players: Calvin Bassey is an excellent addition from Glasgow Rangers; Steven Bergwijn looks very much at home at Ajax; and Kenneth Taylor is an up-and-comer in the mould of Gravenberch. To replace Haller upfront; they've got Brian Brobbey & Mohammed Kudus; the latter a rising star I'm convinced will become one of the best players in the world.

And guess what; they still managed to keep their core together: Steven Berghuis still influential in the middle of the park; captain Dusan Tadic still making things happen; and even Davy Klaassen is still there. You may be thinking how they managed to fund all their new signings? Well easy; the sale of Antony & Martinez to Man Utd took care of that.

So it was inspiring to see their 4-0 demolition job of Europa League finalists Rangers in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League. They were smooth as hell; with Kudus putting a remarkable display at centre-forward (in place of Brobbey) and scoring an absolute worldie. For Rangers; it was their first time in the Champions League group stage for 12 seasons; and it showed. Looking short of ideas & energy; they were well off the pace.