Dutch legend Marco van Basten has warned Ajax’s current crop of stars against making moves abroad, using Davy Klaassen’s failed time at Everton as the example.
Ajax have rebuilt their squad once again this season after selling several stars over the last few years for big sums.
They now have a new crop of talent emerging and shining in the Champions League, with the likes of Antony, Ryan Gravenberch, Edson Alvarez and several others all being linked with transfers as a result.
Big moves from Ajax don’t always work out, though, with several players having struggled after transfers elsewhere in Europe.
Klaassen is the prime example, having been the star of the show for Ajax but then struggled at Everton following a €25m move.
There’s also Donny van de Beek, who has completely failed to establish himself at Manchester United following a big transfer there in 2020.
And Van Basten believes both players should serve as warnings to the current crop of talent coming through.
“He (Klaassen) shows it, goes to Everton and lost it,” he told Ziggo Sport, relayed by Ajax Showtime.
“Then he goes to Werder Bremen, comes back to Ajax and is back in the Dutch national team. The players at Ajax don’t realise how good they can play football at Ajax. It’s a different story abroad.
“You can also see it in Van de Beek. He’s done very well at Ajax for a couple of years, then he leaves for Manchester United and finds himself on the bench.
“Ziyech is also a problem, and De Ligt didn’t play yesterday.
“You look at the team, which is very good, but individually you go abroad. Those are different leagues. If those guys go abroad, they will end up like Ziyech and De Ligt and like Klaassen has had.”
