‘A guy like that is of no use to you, get rid of it’

Wim Kieft is hard on Josip Sutalo. The 24-year-old man made a mistake last Sunday against FC Volendam (1-4 win), not for the first time this season on behalf of Ajax. If it were up to Kieft, the Amsterdam team would decide to sell after this season.

Sutalo settled in Amsterdam at the end of the transfer summer. Ajax transferred a mega amount of 23 million euros to the account of Dinamo Zagreb, but the Croatian international did not yet impress in the red and white shirt.

“It’s been like this all year long,” says Kieft Veronica Offside about Sutalo, who gave Volendam a great chance to score 1-1 early in the second half through an error. In an attempt to clear the ball, he shot into forward Darius Johnson. However, the Englishman did not benefit. He lobbed the ball over Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and then hit the inside of the post.

Sutalo’s mistake can be seen at 2 minute 30 in the summary.

“Then you just take him down or you throw your body in?” Kieft continues. “It’s all so passive and easy-going. No personality at the center of the defense.”

“Then you can complain about Henderson, but he will go for it. He takes responsibility, although he is no Toni Kroos, so to speak. You have to be happy if Sutalo starts playing for Croatia so you can sell him. A guy like that is of no use to you, get rid of it,” is the analyst’s harsh assessment.

Kieft is more pleased with Chuba Akpom, who scored a goal and an assist against Volendam. The attacker was given a starting position, but was previously important as a super sub.

“If Akpom is happy with it and you have it in reserve for Brobbey, why not keep it? He is not a very good football player, but he is generally in the right place,” said Kieft.

Want to always stay informed of the most important Ajax news? Join the Ajax Zone WhatsApp channel now!