There is no doubting the prestige of the youth academy at Ajax – still regarded as one of the best in the world, this is a production line that continues to generate talent at an alarming rate.
However, not all of the players that come through the academy flourish immediately. Some take time and need nurturing. This is sometimes the case with a lot of clubs around Europe who have talent on their books, which can often develop later, though when (if) they do – develop into top performers.
As such, being loaned out can help massively with confidence and this is a tactic that numerous clubs apply around Europe. In recent years, Ajax has employed this to good effect, loaning out youth players that include Tristan Gooijer, Dies Janse, Jan Faberski, Julian Rijkhoff, and Nick Verschuren.
However, there is a player on the club’s books that has caught the attention of a number of top clubs around Europe over the last couple of years, including several Premier League giants.
Full name, Amourrichio Jahvairo Deshauntino van Axel Dongen, the 20-year-old is an exciting left-sided attacker who the club has loaned out to fellow Eredivisie side Heerenveen this season and there are high hopes for the player to come good.
A Good Level To Push On
The Dutchman hasn’t really had a chance to crack into the Ajax first team yet, though many in and around the club are excited about the player’s potential.
Blessed with electric pace and trickery, with the ability to create and score, he has represented the Netherlands at Under 18 level and could definitely materialise into a future, fully-fledged international.
This season gives him a great opportunity to prove himself at a club that is out of the spotlight, so the pressure should more or less be off him, though, he has a platform to prove himself on.
In his armoury, Van Dongen has all of the tools he needs to become a top class player – there are shades of Justin Kluivert about him, who also came through the Ajax academy before moving to AS Roma, where he had three loan spells. Only now, aged 26, does the Dutchman really appear to be coming into his own at Premier League club Bournemouth.
Potential To Play For A Top Club
Van Dongen could hit a higher level at a much quicker rate though – especially if he has a successful spell on loan at Heerenveen. If he does, it is likely that Ajax will push him into the first team, where he will have a great opportunity to excel. It is worth mentioning also, that this arrangement does not include an option to buy, suggesting how highly Ajax values him.
Ajax has also become a hunting ground for Premier League sides over the years, with numerous clubs snapping up talent who have gone on to become great successes.
The Dutchman is definitely capable of playing for a top club, though the question is, whether he has the determination to work hard and prove himself. There is no doubting his ability or potential – he has all of the tools to become a top player. The rest is on him.