Erik ten Hag is confident that his Ajax side is still strong despite the departure of Hakim Ziyech and the coach is excited by new signing Antony.

On Saturday, Ziyech trained for the first-time with Chelsea after his move from Ajax. “Together we had a very nice period, also a successful period. He has given the team and the fans a lot. Not only in terms of results, but also with attractive football, ” Ten Hag said on the Ajax website.

Ten Hag knows it will be tough to just replace Ziyech and doesn’t think it will happen immediately, “I don’t think you should look at it that way. I didn’t do that last year when Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Lasse Schöne left. New stars will rise and they will win the hearts of the fans. “

New signing Antony could be one of the players to fill the void, “We all hope for that. First, that it is a great footballer who fits into the team and makes us win titles. And second, that it is an attraction. I expect him to do his utmost for that. Then the rest will come naturally. “

Ten Hag is happy with the strength of his squad at the moment, “I think we have occupied all positions at the moment. And so have a good group that is competitive, that can do something in the Champions League and that of course goes for the highest place in the Dutch league.”

Donny van de Beek, Andre Onana and Nicolas Tagliafico could all leave, but Ten Hag isn’t worried, “I’m relaxed in that. It is the same every year. We know we have good players. I want to keep them all, but if that doesn’t work, good replacements have to be signed.”




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