Playing for 90
Fansided

Tottenham need to give back to Ajax

By Rucker Haringey

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 02: David Neres of Ajax celebrates scoring his teams second goal of the game with team mates during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord at Amsterdam ArenA on April 2, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 02: David Neres of Ajax celebrates scoring his teams second goal of the game with team mates during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord at Amsterdam ArenA on April 2, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tottenham should loan players to Ajax on a regular basis

I fully support Tottenham’s strategy of mining Ajax for top-end talent. However, I also recognize that Spurs must do everything they can to keep a good relationship with the Eredivisie side. To keep a good relationship, Mauricio Pochettino must begin loaning promising players to Ajax on a regular basis.

As it stands, the relationship between the two clubs has been pretty one-sided. Yes, Ajax receive terrific transfer fees for their promising stars, but it’s not as if Tottenham are the only club capable of paying their prices. Pochettino and company need to sweeten the deal if they plan on keeping the Ajax to Tottenham pipeline going.

The list of former Ajax players thriving under Pochettino is pretty long. Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez all cut their teeth for the Dutch power before moving to the Premier League. Sanchez, the most recent player to make the move, came to North London in a £42 million move last summer.

Spurs may be poised to break that transfer record with another Ajax swoop this January. Recent reports from England claim that Tottenham are considering a massive bid for David Neres. The young Brazilian winger has been a big part of Ajax’s success this season. Pochettino and company view him as a reasonable alternative to the likes of Lucas Moura and Malcom.

At some point, Ajax officials are going to be put off by Tottenham coming to their club and turning the heads of their young talent. It’s clear they did not want to sell Sanchez this summer, but Spurs made everyone a financial offer they couldn’t refuse. It’s very possible they’ll do the same thing with Neres this January.

More from Tottenham Hotspur

Such forceful acquisitions leave hard feelings though. That’s why Tottenham need to be mindful of their relationship with Ajax. The Premier League giants can do more than just pay significant transfer fees though. They should also give back to Ajax through regular loans for promising youth players of their own.

Prior to this season, Pochettino’s policy was to keep youth players at Tottenham no matter what. However, there’s been a sea change in the Spurs gaffer. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josh Onomah and most recently, Marcus Edwards, have all been sent away on loan this season.

It’s quite likely that Ajax would have appreciated the opportunity to take one of those stars on loan. Edwards, in particular, could have been an exciting prospect for them. In fact, sending him on loan to Ajax could have helped to soften the potential blow of taking Neres away. Hindsight is 20/20, but perhaps Edwards and his club would have been better served by sending him to Ajax instead of Norwich.

Next: Tottenham are playing trio of Brazilians

At the very least, offering Ajax the chance to take some of these players on loan would engender good feelings between the two clubs. There’s no telling how many millions that could save Daniel Levy at the negotiating table. Tottenham must be smarter about their relationship with the Eredivisie powers. A little bit of kindness could go a long way.

Home/Tottenham Hotspur