A weekend 3-1 home win over NAC Breda at the Johan Cruyff Arena for Ajax kept the Amsterdam giants nine points clear of second-place reigning champions PSV Eindhoven in the race for the Eredivisie title.
Goals from Kenneth Taylor, Steven Berghuis and Jorthy Mokio were enough to secure another victory for the Dutch giants.
On current form, Francesco Farioli’s team could end up cruising to the Dutch top-flight title, which would be astonishing considering what happened last season.
A relentless run of form
Ajax have been in relentless form of late in the Eredivisie, as they are unbeaten in their last 13 league games, having recorded 12 wins and a draw. Those wins have included beating Feyenoord 2-1 at the Arena and winning 2-0 in Eindhoven against PSV.
Although the Amsterdammer’s are only the third-highest scorers in the Dutch top-flight behind both PSV and Feyenoord, they have had an eye for goal in recent weeks, scoring at least two goals in their last three Eredivisie outings.
However, its at the other end of the pitch that the team from the Dutch capital have really shone of late. In fact, the team has kept clean sheets in five of their last seven Eredivisie outings.
The recent stellar backline displays are not surprising, though, as Ajax has the best defensive record in the Eredivisie, having conceded just 21 goals in their 28 league outings this season.
The midfield has played a big part in the seasonal revival
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Against NAC Breda, once again, the midfield proved pivotal in the victory. Kenneth Taylor scored from the penalty spot to level the scores after Leo Sauer had given the visitors the lead.
Taylor has been one of the most pivotal players in Ajax’s revival this season, scoring nine goals and producing six assists in the Dutch top-flight. It is already the most prolific season of his career when it comes to goals scored in the Eredivisie.
He is no doubt becoming the player that many predicted he would earlier in his career. It seems like Taylor has been around forever. However, he is still only 22, and there is still plenty of potential left to fulfil during his career.
If he has this sort of influence on the team at 22, then his influence will only grow in the future. Ironically, a player that Taylor has been compared to in the past is midfield colleague Davy Klaassen.
Klaassen is at the other end of his career to Taylor at 32. However, he has also played a crucial role in this season’s strong campaign. The much-travelled star has made a solid impact on the team since his return on a free transfer last summer.
Not only has his all-around performances been good, he has popped up with eight goals and two assists in the Eredivisie this season. Some questioned the wisdom of bringing Klaassen back for a third spell at the club.
However, it has turned out to be a shrewd move by the club’s recruitment team. No doubt, the Netherlands international will continue to be influential for the remainder of the Eredivisie campaign.
Ajax is in a healthier position than this time last year
While the Eredivisie title isn’t assured just yet, Ajax are in a really healthy position heading into the last six league games of the season. It is now their title to lose in the final stretch of the campaign.
One other crucial factor is that Ajax is 14 points clear of third-place Feyenoord. With the top two teams earning Champions League football, the Amsterdam giants are close to securing a lucrative spot in European football’s elite competition for next season.
The Champions League’s new format means more games for teams in the competition each season, which means more revenue. After a year without Champions League revenue, it will be a welcome source of income for the Amsterdam club.
Ajax have been known for their sensible financial management (except for last season’s slight splurge). The money will no doubt be put to good use in strengthening the club’s infrastructure or the playing squad.
After the blip of last season, the current campaign has been an excellent antidote. The whole atmosphere at the club seems far healthier than it was this time last season.
The team is playing well and picking up points, and everybody connected with the club seems to have bought into Francesco Farioli’s management. With only six games to go, Ajax know that the Eredivisie title is now within touching distance.
A few more wins would ensure that the club from the Netherlands capital are crowned as Eredivisie champions for the first time since season 2021/22. Not many would claim it has been a classic campaign, but it has been the season of stability and long may it continue.
Will Ajax cruise to the Eredivisie title this season?