Over the last few years, Ajax has sold its fair share of talented full-backs. Jurrien Timber made the move to Arsenal, where he is starting to show his real class. In the summer 19-year-old talent, Jorrel Hato made a lucrative move to Chelsea.
The key similarity of both these players? Their versatility. Timber can literally play anywhere across the backline, though is principally a right-back. Hato the same, though his chief position is a left-sided centre-back.
Over the last few years, it appears that the club’s youth academy has focused on developing defenders who can play anywhere across the rearguard, while still propagating their ‘total football’ style. We have seen this in particular with Timber at Arsenal. Yes, he can defend, he’s buccaneering going forward, can pick a pass and sniff out threats from opponents.
In Gerald Alders, Ajax may have found their next Dutch defensive talent. Having made his debut at the start of 2025, he was immediately loaned out to fellow Eredivisie side FC Twente for the remainder of the season.
A Breakout Season Potentially In The Offing
Now back at Ajax, Alders finds himself on the fringe of the first team. He’s enjoying matchday squad inclusions; indeed making one brief appearance so far, but finds his time limited to unused substitution options. This is likely deliberate, to get him used to being around the squad.
For the minute, he is continuing his development in the youth team (Jong Ajax), where the 20-year-old is continuing his trajectory.
Compared to Timber, who appears to have more of an all-round game, for the minute, Alders’ is seemingly more defensive. He is certainly solid, can read patterns of play and can capably win duels, though his final ball needs work. This will come.
Despite this, his passing accuracy is high suggesting that he can in time, become a ‘modern full-back’, capable of inverting, like Timber, though, adding a couple of kilograms will make him more solid. Again, this is just aesthetics.
There is a likelihood that very soon, Ajax bring him into contention full-time. The club has a habit of doing this with young talent, though it often isn’t very long before they have caught the attention of a major European club. Case in point; Timber and Hato.
Currently, it is 22-year-old Dane, Anton Gaaei who is being preferred, though the club has usually favoured talented Dutch natives as is its proud tradition of helping to raise the next generation of the national team.
However, it seems the plan for now is probably to give him a couple more months in the youth team with the occasional senior substitution appearance, then gradually ease him into first team starts from the start of next year.
Alders Can Reach The Top
If Alders continues his development and keeps going in the right direction, there is no reason why he cannot become part of a highly talented Dutch rearguard over the next few years (along with Hato and Timber) – each player’s defensive versatility speaks volumes about the club’s coaching and developmental ability.
Alders is contracted until 2028 – usually common with their young players to protect value, though a high-profile move could certainly be a reality before this.
For now, he is certainly in the right place. He just needs to keep on doing what he’s doing and maintain his focus. The rewards will come.