For Marc Overmars it was delightful viewing. The sporting director of Ajax watched on as the Dutch giants walloped Excelsior 7-1 to maintain the pressure on deadly rivals PSV Eindhoven, who sit at the summit of the Eredivisie.
But while he took great joy from the hammering, Overmars, the former Arsenal and Barcelona winger, would have also been thinking back to his comments about the hard fact of life that the Sons of the Gods are ready to lose their biggest talents.
As well as Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, one of the most talented players in the Ajax ranks is Morocco international Hakim Ziyech, and he maintained his run of decent form in front of goal with a strike in the emphatic victory on Sunday.
It was his fifth goal in his last six league appearances. Crucially for those who doubt the power and ambition of Ajax, it should be noted that the triumph helped extend the unbeaten run of Erik ten Hag’s side to 11 games in all competitions.
Ziyech’s dazzling display in the victory brings him once again to prominence at a time when Overmars is being realistic over the prospects of keeping the best of the Ajax players. And he remains philosophical regards the comings and goings at the club.
He said:
“We are realistic. After this season, we will lose two or three players. They have such a high level that we cannot keep them. However, it’s important for us to reinvest the money and replace the players who leave at the end of the season as best as possible.
“I think it’s well know that nobody will leave Ajax in the January transfer window, there’s no chance, although any offer may arrive on the table. I don’t hide the fact there’s interest from big clubs for various players but the important thing is that the players aren’t the ones pushing. They only want to have a good season at Ajax and it’s logical given their age.”
So, who is circling, ready to snare the top talent at Ajax. Well, Everton have already shown interest in acquiring the services of Ziyech but Liverpool is a more realistic club for the gifted attacker.
And Barca are said to be keen on recruiting defender De Ligt and no-one would be at all surprised if they came knocking in the summer. Tottenham are also said to be a potential suitor but Spain is said to be the destination of choice of the player.
De Jong has attracted a lot of attention from Manchester City, reportedly. There are some suggestions that a fee of £50million is being lined up to lure the exciting playmaker and, again, if he were to make the switch at the end of the season it would surprise few pundits.