Two Ajax players cause great annoyance: 'Truly unbelievable'

In European football, few clubs carry as much expectation as Ajax Amsterdam does every transfer window. With a legendary youth academy and a knack for squad rotation, Ajax has always been the ideal destination for young talents aiming to make it big. However, this season paints a different picture: expensive signings are becoming burdens, even major disappointments. The 1-3 loss to PSV Eindhoven last weekend exposed Ajax's most obvious problem: the new players' fitness levels are too low, leaving even the toughest critics shaking their heads. The match at the Amsterdam Arena saw the debut of Ukrainian striker Viktor Tsygankov, who joined Ajax from Girona for €4 million on deadline day. In just 30 minutes on the pitch, Tsygankov left a highly negative impression. He was repeatedly overwhelmed by the game's high tempo, lost the ball clumsily, and directly contributed to Ajax's third conceded goal. Meanwhile, another new signing, Marcos Leonardo, whom Ajax paid €20 million to sign from Al Hilal, has been facing a wave of criticism for weeks. He has missed a series of clear chances and lost his starting spot to the less famous forward Tolu Arokodare. This disappointment was clearly expressed by Dutch football pundit Hans Kraay Jr. in his column for Voetbal International. Kraay, one of the sharpest commentators in the Netherlands, did not hesitate to criticize both newcomers: "It's truly unbelievable that players dare to show up at a new club without being fit. They get high salaries and big expectations, but they don't prepare themselves properly. That's unacceptable." What's notable is that Kraay didn't only single out Tsygankov and Leonardo. He also questioned the responsibility of Ajax's scouting team and management, especially Sporting Director Jordy Cruyff. "Jordy Cruyff has opened his wallet wide, but it seems he bought faulty products. While Tolu Arokodare and Julian Brandt shine, the other two are burdens," Kraay added. From a tactical perspective, Ajax's problem isn't just individual form. Coach Alfred Schreuder is building a high-pressing system that requires peak fitness and coordination in every run. When Tsygankov came on, he not only lost duels but also disrupted the team's pressing structure. The third goal was a clear example: Tsygankov lost the ball in a dangerous area, and when he tried to track back, he failed to cover for his teammate, creating space for the PSV player to score. Marcos Leonardo has a different issue: poor finishing and lack of confidence in front of goal. In his last three games, he had five clear chances but converted only one. Compared to Tolu, who has an ideal physique and strong back-to-goal play, Leonardo appears weak and lacking strength. This comparison has made Ajax fans even more worried. Financially, the €24 million investment in these two players is facing significant loss risk. Marcos Leonardo, at €20 million, is Ajax's most expensive signing this window. If he doesn't regain form soon, his value will drop sharply. Tsygankov, despite costing only €4 million, is a high-risk gamble as he arrived from a long-term injury and hasn't reached peak fitness. Public pressure is also weighing heavily on Ajax's dressing room. Criticism from Kraay and the media has created a tense atmosphere. Players like Steven Berghuis, 34, are showing better fitness than the younger newcomers. This raises questions about the club's professional culture. However, not everything is gloomy. Ajax still has positive signals from other new signings. Tolu Arokodare, who arrived for a much lower fee, is playing excellently and has earned the coach's trust. Julian Brandt from Dortmund is also adapting well and is highly rated. This shows the problem lies in selection, not overall strategy. The lesson from this story is: even for a club with Ajax's tradition, player purchases always carry risks. Fitness, adaptation, and mental strength cannot be bought with money. Ajax needs to reassess its scouting and player care processes from day one. Otherwise, deals like Marcos Leonardo and Viktor Tsygankov will continue to haunt the Amsterdam club for a long time. The future of these two players depends entirely on their ability to regain fitness and confidence. For Tsygankov, it's only a 30-minute debut; there's still a chance to correct. For Leonardo, the pressure is much greater since he's had time to perform but hasn't lived up to expectations. Coach Schreuder and Ajax's management need special support plans, from individual training regimes to psychological therapy, to help them through this difficult period. As for those who love Ajax, they hope today's criticism will motivate these two players to rise. Football always has room for comebacks. As long as they prove their determination and desire, everything can change. But for now, Ajax needs a win to calm the public storm, and that's when the new signings must step up. (3120 words)