Despite playing in a small league and always having had to cope with a small budget, Ajax might arouse some jealousy from presidents of the richest clubs in football, when they are presented with a list of the great footballers that have played for Ajax.
What to think of Dennis Bergkamp, Marco van Basten and Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Or Frank Rijkaard, Jari Litmanen, and Johan Neeskens? Or Wesley Sneijder, Michael Laudrup, Luis Suarez and Johan Cruyff?
Having to choose between so many great players for an ideal all-time Ajax XI might at first glance appear difficult, but it’s actually quite easy once you consider that many of the great names that have recently worn the white shirt with the red banner – Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Ibrahimovic, Chivu, Huntelaar, Suarez – have only done so for a few seasons, often before reaching the peak of their ability.
In contrast, the players of the team that dominated European football in the 1970’s often amassed hundreds of matches for Ajax, staying at the club between their days as young talents until their days as experienced veterans. Any ideal Ajax XI should heavily feature the stars from the 70’s then.
So what would a best Ajax side of all time look like? Adopting the 3-4-3 formation that Johan Cruyff invented for Ajax, and that Louis van Gaal used to win the Champions League in 1995 I’d fill the 11 positions in the following manner:
Goalkeeper ~ Edwin van der Sar
Made a few costly mistakes in his first season under the bar, but quickly developed into one of Europe’s greatest goalkeepers. Important pillar under the successful Ajax of the 90’s. Always calm and reliable, his saves proved especially crucial in the penalty series of the 1995 Intercontinental Cup final. Played 312 official games – and yes, scored 1 goal. Close second is Piet Schrijvers. A big, fat goalkeeper who terrified attackers by recklessly rushing out of his goal to grab the ball, without an eye for the limbs of opponents.
Right back ~ Wim Suurbier
Somewhat of a forgotten footballer, Suurbier was one of the world’s best right backs during the 70’s. Always surging forward to join the attack, he was a mainstay for the Holland side that reached two successive World Cup finals, and he played 392 league games for Ajax, winning seven Dutch league titles and three European cups. Beat that. Danny Blind is a club legend as well, but his slowness and defensive vulnerability puts him in to the reserve side.
Centre back ~ Ruud Krol
His popularity in Amsterdam may not come close to the stardom Krol enjoys in Napoli, but it’s at Ajax where he spent his best days as a footballer. Between 1968 and 1980 he played 339 league games and won 8 Dutch league titles and 3 European Cups. Krol was a versatile defender who combined hard tackling with 60 meter crosses and forward surges. Starting out as a left back, he evolved into a classy libero and captain. Played two World Cup finals and was Holland’s record international for nearly twenty years. Its his longevity and versatility that allows him to edge out libero Velivor Vasovic.
Left back ~ Frank de Boer
Currently the coach of Ajax, he too was a great ball-playing defender who mastered both the left back and central defender positions. Like Krol, he was gifted with an excellent cross pass over large distances. In addition, he had an excellent free kick and, despite not being tall, was a good header of the ball. Did not have the technique and dribbling ability of Maxwell, but more than made up for that with his vision and defensive ability. No to mention De Boers longevity and trophy cabinet: 328 league games, 5 Dutch league crowns, and a Champions League winners medal.
Defensive midfielder ~ Frank Rijkaard
Rijkaard had it all. A powerful physique. A fine technique. The ability to dash forward and score goals. The ability to steal more balls than anybody. A great all-round player who could function perfectly both in defense and midfield. Left Ajax in the late 1980’s after a bust-up with coach Johan Cruyff, but returned in 1993 to guide them to new European glory. 261 league games and 62 goals.
Right midfielder ~ Johan Neeskens
Left Ajax at the young age of 23, but contributed an awful lot to the development of Total Football. It was his habit of aggressively chasing the ball that set into a motion the carroussel of movement that characterized the Ajax and Holland sides of the early 70’s. It’s his tackling ability and eye for the goal that puts him above Ronald de Boer on this spot.
Left midfielder ~ Soren Lerby
Great all-round midfielder who could defend, attack and score, and functioned as the team’s leader and captain for many years, playing 206 league games for Ajax, scoring 66 goals. That’s nearly three times as much goals as Edgar Davids, who left Ajax at 23.
Attacking midfielder ~ Johan Cruyff
Including Europe’s greatest player of all time doesn’t warrant an explanation. Jari Litmanen, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Right winger ~ Sjaak Swart
Known as Mister Ajax, Swart is an absolute legend in Amsterdam. Nobody has played more games for Ajax than this classic winger (nearly 600), and his ability to head from right to left allowed him to score tons of goals as a right winger: 217. Had the fantastic Luis Suarez stayed a few more seasons, this position would have turned into an ugly battle.
Striker ~ Marco van Basten
The finest central forward in Dutch history, Van Basten married the technique and vision of a playmaker, the elegance of a winger and a the finishing touch of a striker. When he left Ajax at age 23, he had scored 152 goals in 172 matches. An average rivaled only by pure goal-thiefs such as Geels, Huntelaar and De Groot, who lacked Van Basten’s ball skills. Only Dennis Bergkamp comes close to Marco.
Left Winger ~ Piet Keizer
Another legend from the 1970’s, Piet Keizer was one of Ajax’s most popular players. A brilliant, sulky, unpredictable left winger wih excellent vision and skills who enjoyed a paranormal connection on the field with Johan Cruyff. In fact, many Ajax fans openly declared that Piet Keizer was a better player than Cruyff. While that, in hindsight, is not an accurate assessment, it speaks volumes about his class. Unlike Marc Overmars, he could dribble past defenders in more ways than just running hard.
Here, then, is the team:
All-Time Ajax Team
Reserve Team
