V/d Wiel laughs when he has to name the weakest link at Ajax

Gregory van der Wiel does not think that it makes a difference at Ajax to the players or trainer John Heitinga. The former right back of the team from Amsterdam suspects that a lack of confidence is the main reason for the current sporting crisis. When Football zonereporter Jelle Kusters asks Van der Wiel about the man to be discharged, he bursts out laughing.

With five league matches to go, second place still seems to be the highest achievable for Ajax. The top match on Sunday against number three PSV, which has the same number of points, therefore seems to be an all-decisive one. Van der Wiel would find it ‘very unfortunate’ if the people of Eindhoven eventually enter the Champions League at the expense of Ajax. “I like to watch Ajax during the week.”

In particular, the game of Mohammed Kudus and Steven Berghuis can appeal to Van der Wiel. However, he cannot name a dissonance at Ajax. “No idea. Then I have to be there every day on the field to see that. I don’t think there is anyone who I think: That just can not be. I don’t think he would play then either. I think so,” said Van der Wiel.

It is not Heitinga’s fault either, thinks Van der Wiel. The fact that the coach has not been able to turn the tide in Amsterdam should come as no surprise. “The game hasn’t been great for a while. To expect someone to step in and suddenly it sparkles again: that doesn’t work that way. It needs a build-up. It’s details. That also plays a role. It is up to them to rectify that.”