Ajax has confirmed the signing of Nordsjaelland’s versatile attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus. Michael Bell takes a closer look at Ajax’s new signing.
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Born in the Ghanaian city of Accra, Kudus started his career in the Right to Dream Academy and impressed a number of scouts from European clubs before choosing FC Nordsjaelland in 2018.
Kudus made his debut in the May of 2018 as a centre-forward in the 2-0 defeat against Brondby. He would go on to become a regular for the club upfront and as an attacking midfielder. In his first campaign, he made 26 appearances, scoring three goals and adding two assists.
After two goals in his first two appearances of this season, Kudus made a name for himself in Denmark. The Ghanaian became a regular and impressed with a further nine goals taking his season tally to eleven in 25 games.
Kudus was also handed his national team debut in 2019 during the qualifying campaign for the African Cup of nations. He has netted once in two caps.
The 19-year-old’s form this season has seen him linked with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Monchengladbach, and several other clubs around Europe. However, it is Ajax that has won the race to sign the talent, paying €9 million.
“Ajax is a very special club with a very special culture, which I like to embrace. I look forward to continuing my development at Ajax and pursuing my dreams”, Kudus told the Ajax website after the deal was confirmed.
Kudos best position and where does he fit at Ajax?
Kudos is a versatile attacking midfielder, who can also be deployed on the wing or through the middle as a false nine.
Ajax sees Kudus as a number ten to start with and he could be the replacement for Donny van de Beek, should he depart Amsterdam this summer.
Kudos is 5ft 10, strong on the ball, rapidly quick, and possesses excellent dribbling ability. For Nordsjaelland he had a free role which allowed him to drop deep to receive the ball and create space for the other attackers. He reads the lines well and can link the play, something that van de Beek also does well in the Ajax midfield.
Should van de Beek remain, then Ajax could utilise Kudus pace on the wings or move the Dutch international deeper in the midfield.
The young Ghanaian has also proved in Denmark that he is a very capable finisher. Kudus seems to have it all to be a top player and he will bring plenty of options for Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
What others say about Kudus
VI analyst Freek Jansen, “He is a dynamic player, who especially should be able to manage the number ten position. That makes it interesting because Donny van de Beek is of course the number ten of Ajax at the moment. There is still a very good chance that he will leave this summer. Then you have a potential replacement at home with Kudus.”
Silkeborg IF’s Dutch defender Kees Luijckx to VI, “A month ago, he was really unparalleled when we played against him, which was incredible. His ball stability is his greatest quality. I don’t think he is a real striker, more an attacking midfielder. I think they will get him for that too. He is just a pleasure to watch. He is really good. I think he is a typical Ajax player, who can also learn a lot at Ajax, also from the direct game.”
Aalborg’s Dutch striker Tom van Weert to VI, “It is all so easy for him. He has so much ball control, so much power, and is so athletic. If you go to Ajax, you have to have something special. You shouldn’t be an average player in Denmark, but he is really special.”
An exciting signing for Ajax
It seems Ajax have found themselves a gem in Kudus, who is gaining plenty of praise for his performances in Denmark this season.
With Hakim Ziyech gone and Donny van de Beek also possibly on the way out, Ajax needs to add more attacking creativity to their side this summer and it seems they have that with Kudus.
It remains to be seen if Kudus can handle Champions League level, but for only €9 million, the 19-year-old could prove to be an absolute steal.
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