How Star Signing Could Stall Mohamed Abdalla's Ajax Rise
· Yahoo Sports
Jordi Cruijff rebuilt Ajax's midfield during the summer transfer window, with three new arrivals and multiple departures in that area of the pitch.
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Sean Steur departed for the Premier League, joining Newcastle United in a deal worth up to around €27 million. Kian Fitz-Jim moved to Serie A outfit Torino on a permanent transfer, while Youri Regeer also left, joining Werder Bremen on loan after a poor start to the season in Amsterdam.
Ajax signed Julian Brandt on a free transfer. The German midfielder's contract at Borussia Dortmund expired in the summer, bringing an end to a seven-year spell with the Bundesliga giants. Brandt attracted interest from the Premier League, including Leeds United, but decided to move to Ajax following positive talks with technical director Cruijff and head coach Michel Sanchez.
Sofyan Amrabat was the player brought in to strengthen Ajax in defensive midfield. A new No. 6 was one of Ajax's biggest priorities going into the transfer window, and the club signed Amrabat on a free transfer following the termination of his contract at Fenerbahçe.
After the transfer window closed, Ajax completed the signing of Yves Bissouma on a free transfer. He was a free agent after his contract at Tottenham Hotspur expired and reportedly attracted interest from clubs in Europe's top five leagues, but he decided to sign a one-year deal with Ajax.
How Bissouma could stall Abdalla's riseJournalist Johan Inan has questioned whether Ajax should have signed Bissouma.
Speaking on the AD Voetbal podcast, Inan claimed that Bissouma's arrival could block Mohamed Abdalla's pathway into the first team. The youngster made his official Ajax debut against Vojvodina in UEFA Conference League qualifying and has started seven games for Jong Ajax so far this season in the Dutch second tier.
"Ouazane is really knocking on Míchel's door and is close to a starting spot," Inan said.
"The only thing I find unfortunate at Ajax is that, especially after the signing of Yves Bissouma, it is becoming incredibly difficult for Abdalla to get in and break through. Especially at Ajax, where youth and, certainly, exceptional talent form your revenue model, lifeblood, and identity, you have to safeguard that.
"If you can bring in Julian Brandt, you'd be crazy not to. But make sure you keep an eye on the youngsters coming through. If there are some very good talents among them, you have to have the courage to give them the sixth or seventh spot in midfield.
"Under Erik ten Hag and Marc Overmars, that worked very well. Abdalla is an incredibly talented footballer, but we don't see it because he has countless competitors ahead of him.
"Bissouma is, provided he behaves himself, a very good footballer who can help Ajax move forward, but it does mean that we have to wait longer for Mohamed Abdalla's breakthrough ."
Abdalla's time will comeIt is important to remember that Abdalla is currently only 16 years of age, and he has made just over 20 appearances for Jong Ajax. He is still very inexperienced and has a lot of development to do before he can regularly play for Ajax in the Eredivisie.
Bissouma's contract is only for one year, although various reports claim that it will be extended for a further year if he makes a certain number of appearances this season.
That being said, if Abdalla impresses for Jong Ajax, he will get his opportunity sooner or later. Given how young he is, there also should not be any rush for him to break into the first team. Bissouma's arrival means Ajax can be patient with Abdalla and wait until he is ready before giving him regular minutes in the first team.