Ziyech-vervanger? De Boer and Sneijder weigh in on Ajax's next star
The departure of Hakim Ziyech left a gaping hole in Ajax's attacking lineup. The Moroccan magician's creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability were unmatched, leaving fans wondering: who can fill Ziyech's shoes?
While no one can truly replace a talent like Ziyech, Ajax has a wealth of young, promising players eager to step up. Two Dutch footballing legends, Frank de Boer and Wesley Sneijder, recently shared their thoughts on who could be the next star to emerge at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
De Boer favors a familiar face
Frank de Boer, a former Ajax manager and player, believes the answer lies within the current squad. He pointed towards Mohammed Kudus, a versatile attacking midfielder who has shown flashes of brilliance since arriving in Amsterdam. "Kudus has the potential to be a real game-changer," De Boer stated. "He's got the dribbling skills, the vision, and the finishing ability to be a true successor to Ziyech."
De Boer also praised Antony for his pace and directness, but believes Kudus has the edge in terms of creativity and playmaking ability. "Antony is a fantastic player, but he's more of a winger," De Boer explained. "Kudus can operate in multiple positions and provide the kind of playmaking that Ziyech was known for."
Sneijder sees potential in a new arrival
Wesley Sneijder, another Ajax legend, is keeping a close eye on Brian Brobbey, the young striker who recently joined the club from RB Leipzig. "Brobbey has a lot of raw talent," Sneijder said. "He's strong, he's got a good eye for goal, and he's still young and developing."
While Brobbey may not be a direct replacement for Ziyech's creative flair, Sneijder believes his goal-scoring ability can be a valuable asset for Ajax. "He can score goals from anywhere," Sneijder added. "If he can find his rhythm and consistency, he could be a real star for Ajax."
The search for a new hero
Ultimately, finding a direct replacement for Ziyech is a tall order. However, Ajax's talent pool is brimming with potential stars eager to prove themselves. Whether it's Kudus's creative spark, Antony's pace, or Brobbey's goal-scoring prowess, the future is bright for Ajax's attack.
As De Boer and Sneijder suggest, the search for the next Ziyech might not be a single player, but a collective effort from a group of young talents ready to fill the void left by the Moroccan maestro. And while it's unlikely any one player can replicate his magic, the next generation of Ajax stars will be looking to write their own chapters in the club's illustrious history.