Ajax are back in the race for the Eredivisie title after enduring two torrid seasons. Under new head coach Francesco Farioli, the Amsterdam club have seen a dramatic turnaround, now sitting just a few points shy of the top spot. Last week, Ajax recorded remarkable wins over Feyenoord and PSV, propelling them to second place and five points behind Peter Bosz’s team. The club are currently on a six-game winning streak across all competitions and went all of October unbeaten.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Hedenderson is at the centre of Ajax’s success this season. The 34-year-old joined the club in January during a challenging period, and has played a crucial part in the turnaround. So far this seaosn he’s featured in all but two of Ajax’s games across all competitions, wearing the captains armband in each appearance.
Jordan Henderson’s performances have earned him plenty of praise over recent weeks, with former Netherlands international Arie Haan including him in another Team of the Week for newspaper De Telegraaf. ‘He arranged everything (against Feyenoord and PSV, etc.)’, Haan said. ‘He’s now really doing what Ajax got him to do in the winter. Organise, run free, move the game at pace, help fellow players. He was on top of everything. That is not to be missed.’
Haan also praised Ajax teenagers Jorrel Hato (18) and Mika Godts (19). ‘Hato has recovered and is turning back to that level with which he reaped so much praise in the beginning, but now better of course. He’s sharp again. And I think Godts is a great player. He takes an incredible amount of risks in his game, but I can remember: all the big players took so many risks when they were young.’
GBeNeFN | Jonas Fielding
