Ajax FC begin their 20/21 Champions League campaign tonight with a massive game against Liverpool F.C. in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
The Dutch side have been a proven entity amongst Europe's elite since the club was formed in 1900. Ajax have won the Champions League four times throughout its history (1971, 1972, 1973, 1995).
Their most recent Champions League run was back in the 2018-2019 season when they reached the semi-finals, beating Real Madrid in the quarters. This Ajax team consisted of talented players such as Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and Danny van de Beek. These four players were the stem of Ajax's success in the competition that season. In the last two years, all four of these players have moved onto a bigger league in Europe as they desired more of a challenge than the Eredivisie offered. Three of these four players were under the age of 23 when sold which is a common theme for Ajax when selling players.
Ajax's 2018-2019 Champions League run - https://youtu.be/8CPUAl5OO-E
This routine of "selling early" seems to be a usual trend for Ajax throughout the years. The question is then asked, can the club still compete with the European Giants of the competition since they are the teams buying Ajax's best and upcoming players. The Eredivisie champions have made roughly £360 million in transfer fees in the last three years. Most of these players have been young with high potential. If Ajax want to be Champions League winners again, you would think this current trend would need to come to an end. This is easier said than done with the way the transfer market has progressed since the early 2000's.
Some notable players to have played for the club include:
Johan Cruyff (Left in 1973 for Barcelona)
Dennis Bergkamp (Left in 1993 for Inter Milan)
Edgar Davids (Left in 1996 for AC Milan)
Christian Eriksen (Left in 2013 for Tottenham)
Toby Alderweireld (Left in 2013 for Atletico Madrid)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Left in 2004 for Juventus)
Luis Suarez (Left in 2014 for Liverpool)
Wesley Sneijder (Left in 2007 for Real Madrid)
Edwin van der Sar (Left in 1999 for Juventus)
Marco Van Basten (Left in 1987 for AC Milan)
Frank Rijkaard (Left in 1988 for Sporting CP)
Rafael van der Vaart (Left in 2005 for Hamburg)
Jan Vertonghen (Left in 2012 for Tottenham)
Patrick Kluivert (Left in 1997 for AC Milan)
Clarence Seedorf (Left in 1995 for Sampdoria)
Ajax XI if they kept their best players - https://youtu.be/du5UrEo4gK0
Ajax's academy has to be applauded for producing top class talent that have gone on to make a name for themselves in the world of football. The problem for Ajax is that these players eventually move on to progress their careers elsewhere. As you can see from the list above, Ajax have developed and given first team debuts to some players that have become all time greats in the game. If a player is performing impressively for the club, no doubt a European Giant will come calling.
Still, even with all the sales of key players, Ajax continue to perform on the European stage while also comfortably winning the Eredivisie each year. The Amsterdam side is a club to admire. How they operate as a business is very different to many clubs. Their Academy is one of the best in the world and no doubt it will continue to generate a number of new talents in the near future. Ajax might be a selling club but it is how they keep producing is what is most impressive.
Ajax Top 10 Academy Graduates - https://youtu.be/CZuoHf8YiVI
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