Ajaxtalk

DanK schreef:Verthongen enjoying Koster life
Jan Verthongen says life has been easier for him at Ajax since the arrival of coach Adrie Koster.

The Belgian international is a regular starter under the new coach, after the complete and utter failure of Urby Emanuelson at left back.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/verthong ... fe-108172/

Fixed your post.

According to de Telegraaf, he's extended his contract, which was set to expire in 2011, to 2013. Looks like he's set to be first-choice in defense at present. I think he's a better midfielder than defender, but can't see him competing at that position with the current squad.

Actually, he hasn't extended yet. According to de Telegraaf it won't take much longer, though.

Thanks for the correction, my Dutch is still a work in progress.

I hope that Jan Vertonghen will have a long career at Ajax, but a short stint in the Belgian Olympic team. Our defense is thin enough with Vertonghen and Vermaelen.

Is it true that we renewed his contract until 2013?

The link mentioned on the Ajax Netwerk report is De Telegraf. So, I'll take it with a grain of salt. There is an article featuring Jan Vertonghen on Ajax.nl today. I didn't see any notation about 2013 in the article.

Blind3 schreef:The link mentioned on the Ajax Netwerk report is De Telegraf. So, I'll take it with a grain of salt.

It's probably true, but premature.

De Telegraaf have more anonymous 'sources' at the ArenA than any other newspaper in Holland, which makes them the most interesting newspaper for Ajax news. The fact that they don't really care about the 'code' of journalism, makes it even more 'interesting'.

In general, they feel that being the first to announce something, is actually more important than being 100% sure that it's true before they throw it out there. In other words: they publish premature news. All the time.

In most cases, confirmation will follow the next day and they can be pleased with themselves ("We had it first!"), but in some cases - every once in a while - they are a bit too fast to the trigger and end up looking like a bunch of tits, the most famous examples being "Bergkamp will return to Ajax!" (they claimed this a few times) and "Co Adriaanse will be sacked tomorrow!" (which did not happen).

In this particular case, I'm sure they're right (or will be some time soon).

K.

Vertonghen has extended to 2013. I see an article headed he was not interested in joining Middlesbrough for 3 times the salary. If this is true good for him as I rate him and he has been in Amsterdam for about 6 years now. If he develops and one of the really big English clubs come in for him in a year or 2 he probably will go .

I'm thrilled at the finalization of this extension . Refreshing to see Jan Vertonghen's loyalty. I wish him only success. If he continues to play the way he has , no doubt he'll get a chance a a larger club the Boro.

Today we will hear more about the extent of Jan's hamstring injury. It is impossible to say anything about that immediately after it happened. The muscles have to 'calm down' first. The day after is the day for diagnosis.

Expect him to be sidelined for up to six weeks at least, is my gut feeling... Which is very bad news with the Marseille games coming up.

K.

Kowalczyk schreef:Today we will hear more about the extent of Jan's hamstring injury. It is impossible to say anything about that immediately after it happened. The muscles have to 'calm down' first. The day after is the day for diagnosis.

Expect him to be sidelined for up to six weeks at least, is my gut feeling... Which is very bad news with the Marseille games coming up.

K.

Telegraaf has a story that he won't be evaluated until Wednesday. My Dutch is only passable on some of this but it looks like the swelling is too great to do an MRI. Your gut feeling may be correct in which case, this season may be over for him (I don't think they want to risk reinjury).

Little tear in the hamstring.

Four to six weeks.

Which means: six at least.

Six weeks, starting today, would mean a return around April 15th, just in time for PSV away.

K.

Kowalczyk schreef:Little tear in the hamstring.

Four to six weeks.

Which means: six at least.

Six weeks, starting today, would mean a return around April 15th, just in time for PSV away.

K.

Since it's a hamstring, I would give it another two weeks. Those things are tricky.

Thanks in part to the influence of his buddy Vermaelen, Vertonghen "has stated that his long-term future lies in the Premier League," according to this story (http://www.goal.com/en/news/462/netherl ... eague-move) on the always reliable goal.com.

"... the duo still speak to each other every day. Vermaelen's stories about England have strengthened Vertonghen's desire to ply his trade in the Premier League in the future."

Can we ask Vermaelen to STFU?

And how about this little gem? "Vermaelen is like a role model to me. His life is all about football and he's extremely disciplined. I'm more laid-back than he is. Thomas isn't the type of person to go out for a drink on a regular basis, unlike me."

Are he and Mickey hanging out together?

He has been mentioned with Barca. Barca would like a young defensive mf and the local paper lists a few names and Jan is one of them. He is not ready for such a move and this is clearly just newspaper talk.

SPL schreef:He has been mentioned with Barca. Barca would like a young defensive mf and the local paper lists a few names and Jan is one of them. He is not ready for such a move and this is clearly just newspaper talk.

Am in Barca on holiday this week. Have not seen anything in the local newspapers about this. He would be third choice behind Toure and Keita; not a good place to be.

Actually there is a real possibility of him being fourth choice behind The Yaya, Keita and Busquets. We are only looking for backup (or cover) for the midfield. But I believe that Vertonghen is technically skilled enough to play CM for us as well. So we could have five players (the previous three, Vertonghen and Iniesta) competing for two midfield spots. The key is that Pep likes to rotate alot and we will have many games (upto 66 I believe) so it is not as bad, I believe.

BTW here is one site quoting the Catalan Daily "Sport" regarding Vertognhen:
FCB Transfers

Can't see Ajax letting him go this season, especially after selling Vermalaen. How long is his contract til? He's still relatively young and I wouldn't be surprised to see him here for two full seasons more. Of course, being Ajax, we could sell him this December.

gordonvandekamp schreef:Can't see Ajax letting him go this season, especially after selling Vermalaen. How long is his contract til? He's still relatively young and I wouldn't be surprised to see him here for two full seasons more. Of course, being Ajax, we could sell him this December.

Harsh!

IMO Barca are just testing the market for options. Nothing even close to serious yet. Actually the most serious thought being that a deal with Juve to get Poulsen. Though nothing concrete has happened in that direction either. Link

The fact is we are quite seriously pushing for Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fabregas. Source But due to inflated prices and the fact that Barca already spent such a huge amount for Zlatan we may end up not signing anyone as well. Source

I like Jan and he is very versatile but has played left back and centre back mainly although he is a defensive midfielder. I doubt Ajax would let him go and hope he stays another 2 years. He could easily
play for someone like Bolton or Blackburn but I think he could improve and end up somewhere better.
Not sure he is ready for Barca yet.

gordonvandekamp schreef:Can't see Ajax letting him go this season, especially after selling Vermalaen. How long is his contract til? He's still relatively young and I wouldn't be surprised to see him here for two full seasons more. Of course, being Ajax, we could sell him this December.

I think he signed a contract extension this past season but am not sure for how long (maybe 3 more?).

Orange14 schreef:

gordonvandekamp schreef:Can't see Ajax letting him go this season, especially after selling Vermalaen. How long is his contract til? He's still relatively young and I wouldn't be surprised to see him here for two full seasons more. Of course, being Ajax, we could sell him this December.

I think he signed a contract extension this past season but am not sure for how long (maybe 3 more?).

That would probably make him quite costly then. What would be your estimate of the price at which Ajax will be willing to sell? If Barca does want to buy a back up, they definitely wouldn't want to spend more than 10M.

perhaps barca should have thought of this before the loaned keirrison to benfica

screw 'em

bluedaddy19 schreef:perhaps barca should have thought of this before the loaned keirrison to benfica

screw 'em

Well you're right, if we wanted a back up and and wanted him cheap we should've used the players we're sending on loan to sweeten the deal. It is one reason why some believe that we will get Poulsen from Juve (sent Caceres on loan)
or maybe we might try to get Di María from Benfica (or something like the first option on him)

But the fact is that language is a problem and for youth fresh off the boat from Brazil it is always hard to adapt. Going to Portugal should ease that process while playing in a reasonable league, adapting to Europe and playing in Europa. Not too bad a thing by any measure.