Feyenoord icon Willem van Hanegem has publicly questioned the mindset of Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen following the Amsterdam club’s 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar this past Saturday. Speaking on the Willem & Wessel podcast produced by VoetbalPrimeur, Van Hanegem expressed surprise at Klaassen’s assertion that the manner of winning was irrelevant as long as the three points were secured. The former international suggested this result-oriented approach clashes with the historical philosophy of Ajax, which has long prioritized an attacking and aesthetic style of play synonymous with the legacy of Johan Cruyff.
Ajax secured the narrow win at the Johan Cruijff ArenA through a ninth-minute goal from striker Tolu Arokodare, according to Vandaag Inside. The victory moved the club into second place in the Eredivisie standings, currently sitting one point behind leaders Feyenoord and one point ahead of PSV. Despite the positive impact on the table, Van Hanegem highlighted that the team’s performance was not entirely convincing, noting that the squad has yet to find a stable foundation.
Questions Regarding Performance and Selection
Van Hanegem was particularly critical of Klaassen’s ongoing role within the starting eleven. When asked during the podcast if the midfielder would remain a guaranteed starter under his leadership, the analyst was blunt: “If I have other players, I would not just put him in. No, certainly not.” The former Feyenoord player pointed to a lack of consistency in Ajax’s recent performances, suggesting that the team demonstrates flashes of quality but struggles to maintain momentum throughout a full match.
Manager Shifts to Defensive Formation
The match against AZ saw a tactical evolution for the home side. Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez transitioned to a 5-3-2 formation in the closing stages to defend the lead after striker Tolu Arokodare was substituted. This pragmatic approach was a departure from the club’s traditional attacking identity. Technical director Jordi Cruijff, who took on his role on February 1, has previously defended the necessity of winning difficult matches to build a championship-caliber team.
The result against AZ marked the end of a winless streak for Ajax against the Alkmaar side that had lasted for eleven matches across all competitions. However, Van Hanegem warned that the current squad must guard against complacency. He noted that some players may suffer from overestimating their own abilities, drawing a parallel to his own club, Feyenoord, where he cautioned that players must remain grounded rather than assuming matches are already won.
Squad Faces Upcoming Fixtures with Injury Concerns
Ajax is set to face Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Conference League before returning to Eredivisie action against FC Twente. The fitness of the squad remains a concern, with midfielder Julian Brandt forced off the pitch due to a hamstring injury during the first half of the AZ encounter.
While the club currently occupies the second spot in the league, the debate surrounding the balance between achieving immediate results and upholding the traditional Ajax identity remains a central theme in the build-up to the team’s upcoming matches.
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