Ajax’s young stars on brink of Europa League glory

Ajax have been propelled to Wednesday’s Europa League final against Manchester United by a host of exciting young stars.

Ajax have been one of Europe’s greatest producers of talent since the 1970s. The club have fallen away from the big time over the past couple of decades, but this season’s squad may be the most talented since the one that won the Champions League in 1995. Peter Bosz’s young side (average age 22.7) fell short in the Eredivisie, finishing a point behind winners Feyenoord, but have been irrepressible in Europe, and come into the final having beaten Lyon and Schalke in the two previous rounds. With the Europa League final fast approaching, here’s a closer look at Ajax’s young stars (all stats are from transfermarkt.com)

Davy Klaassen

The biggest name on the Ajax roster is reigning Dutch Player of the Year Davy Klaassen. The creative midfielder is a smart player who makes intelligent runs and is an excellent finisher, particularly with his head. Klaassen is already one of the older players in the squad at age 24, so it’s no surprise he’s the captain. In 49 games across all competitions, he has 20 goals and 12 assists. He’s only signed through 2019 and it’s likely Ajax will have to sell him in the next 12 months, likely to a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Kasper Dolberg

Kasper Dolberg has been the big breakout star this season, and looks like the latest in a long line of great strikers to come out of the club. The 19-year-old Dane was promoted from the youth academy at the beginning of the season and has scored 23 goals and added eight assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. Dolberg’s contract runs through 2021, so Ajax shouldn’t be in any rush to sell him, but if he keeps scoring at his current rate, chances are they’ll soon receive an offer they can’t refuse.

Davinson Sanchez

Davinson Sanchez moved from Colombian club Atletico Nacional to Amsterdam in the summer and has been a terrific signing so far. The 20-year-old center-back has made 45 appearances this season, scoring six goals and adding two assists. More importantly, Sanchez is physical, strong and a very good tackler. Chelsea are one of several top teams rumored to be interested in the Colombian.

Andre Onana

Andre Onana moved from the Barcelona youth system to Ajax’s in 2015. After the sale of Jasper Cillessen to Barcelona, Onana became the starting keeper. This season, he’s posted 21 clean sheets in 47 appearances across all competitions. The Cameroon international is an excellent shot stopper and isn’t afraid to come charging off his line. The 21-year-old is signed through 2021 but could stay with the club longer than that given keeper’s tend to peak later than outfield players.

Amin Younes

Amin Younes’ story is similar to that of former Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik. The Amsterdam club loaned then purchased Milik after he struggled in the Bundesliga, and the Polish forward repaid the club with 47 goals in two seasons, earning himself a move to Napoli. Younes joined Ajax from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2015 and has flourished in Holland. This season, the winger has seven goals and 13 assists in all competitions. German manager Joachim Loew took notice and named him to Germany’s provisional squad for the Confederations Cup.

Daley Sinkgraven

Ajax will be without full-back Daley Sinkgraven against Manchester United after he picked up a knee injury last month. Sinkgraven had made 24 Eredivisie appearances before then, reinventing himself as left-back after initially struggling to impress has a highly touted midfielder. Younes and Sinkgraven formed a strong partnership down the left, with the latter scoring a goal and adding five assists in the league this season. Sinkgraven is signed through 2019 but could sign an extension with the club.

Hakim Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech has had an excellent first season with Ajax after joining from FC Twente last summer. He’s scored 12 goals and added 20 assists across all competitions. Given he’s so new to the club, it seems unlikely he’ll leave this summer, but at 24 years old he may be closer to the complete package bigger clubs are looking for. Either way, he has a bright future ahead of him.

David Neres

David Neres arrived in Amsterdam during the January transfer transfer window from Brazilian club Sao Paulo. While Neres only made eight appearances in the Eredivisie, he was very productive, scoring three goals and adding three assists. The 20-year-old is signed through 2021 and is still fighting for regular playing time, meaning he’ll likely stay with the club for a few more seasons at least.

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Justin Kluivert

Justin Kluivert is the son of former club legend Patrick, who starred for the club in the ’90s. Patrick Kluivert is now the director of football at Paris Saint-Germain, which is as sure a recipe for transfer speculation as you’ll find. But Justin is still only 18 and a move to a club like PSG is still probably a few years away. The younger Kluivert plays mainly on the wing for Ajax, but has yet to establish a place in the first team, splitting time between Ajax II and the senior squad. In the Eredivisie, Kluivert has made 14 appearances, and has two goals and four assists to his name.