COMMENT
Newcastle must turn their attention to Ajax’s up-and-coming stars in the Europa League final on Wednesday night as they prepare to face Man United.
Ajax are known for their ability to produce sublime young talent, with plenty of first-team stars in Peter Bosz’s first team that have risen through the ranks to star in their Europa League campaign.
Here, This Is Futbol identifies three Ajax players that Rafa Benitez’s Toon should be keeping a close eye on ahead of their clash against Jose Mourinho’s United at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.
Hakim Ziyech
The Toon need creation. Ayoze Perez has been inconsistent, showing only in glimpses what he is capable of this season while Mohamed Diame has struggled under Benitez. Morocco international Ziyech has had a hand in a huge 32 goals during his 45 league and cup appearances this season, scoring 12 goals himself and laying on an impressive 20 assists from the middle of the park. That incision and ability to unlock a defence in the white and red of Ajax on so many occasions would see Ziyech shine in England’s top flight, even though the Toon are likely to have less chances in the final third.
Matthijs de Ligt
The 17-year-old is renowned as one of Europe’s brightest young defenders. The youngest member of Ajax’s impressive squad, de Ligt has shown maturity and defensive know how that is far beyond his years. Making 22 senior appearances for Ajax, the defender is starting in Bosz’s side to face United as he looks to keep the likes of Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan at bay in Stockholm. His aerial ability and commanding aura at the back strikes fear into opposing strikers, while his presence in the opposition box has also seen him score three times for Ajax’s first team, as well as earning his first Netherlands call-up despite his tender age.
Joel Veltman
Although not one of the stand-out performers of Ajax’s glittering young side, Veltman’s versatility at the back would solve a problem area in Benitez’s starting eleven. Able to play at right-back or centre-back, the 14-time Holland international is solid in defence and one of the more senior, reliable members of Bosz’s side. The Toon’s Vurnon Anita is set to leave next month, with his contract expiring on June 30, while DeAndre Yedlin is set to miss pre-season as he represents USA at the 2017 Gold Cup. Veltman, who has just over 12 months left on his current deal, would be a top addition if brought to Tyneside on the right side of defence.