Remember that Ajax side who stormed to the Champions League semi-final in 2019? Well, it hasn’t gone too well for several of their once-shining stars since.
Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek perhaps epitomises the fortunes of the immensely talented crop of players who won over hearts of football fans across Europe.
Signed for £40million last summer, the Dutchman has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemingly unconvinced by his ability.
On Wednesday, he threw his chewing gum to the ground in anger after Solskjaer opted to bring on Fred instead of him whilst the Red Devils chased – and eventually got – a winner against Villarreal in a 2-1 victory.
Van de Beek wanted to seal a move away from United last summer with his agent revealing a move to Everton was blocked by the club.
Man United actually host Everton in the early kick-off on talkSPORT, which kicks off at 12:30pm.
Reports have suggested he will force through his exit in January if he continues to be a bit-part player.
In the 2018/19 season, Van de Beek was part of the Ajax side that played some incredible football domestically and in Europe.
The four-time European champions won the Eredivisie title but were knocked out of the Champions League in spectacular fashion as Lucas Moura came off the bench for Tottenham to score a hat-trick – with his third being the last kick of the game – to break the hearts of millions in Amsterdam.
Several members of the team became automatic transfer targets for their brilliant performances, but just like Van de Beek’s – their transfers have shown that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side…
So who are those players and how have they fared?
Andre Onana
The Cameroon shot-stopper was imperious throughout the Champions League run and made some crucial saves against Spurs in both legs of the semi-finals.
He drew interest from several clubs, including Chelsea, before they eventually signed Edouard Mendy.
Things have gone pear shaped for the 25-year-old since, though.
In 2020, the Ajax goalkeeper was handed a one-year suspension by UEFA as they discovered the forbidden substance Furosemide in a urine sample when tested in October.
He now looks to be headed for Inter Milan with his contract set to run out next summer.
Matthijs de Ligt
The tussle for De Ligt between Europe’s top clubs was a transfer saga that dominated the summer following Ajax’s brilliant run.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United were keen to land the defender, who put in some monstrous displays in their stunning Euro campaign.
Juventus, however, sealed his signature as they swooped in to sign him for £67.5m.
His form in general for the Serie A giants has been questionable, though, and on occasion this season he has been relegated to the bench by Max Allegri, though his displays have improved in recent matches.
Reports in Italy claim Juve defender De Ligt is ‘top of Chelsea’s list this summer’.
The Netherlands defender has a release clause of £103million, which will become active at the end of the season.
Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona’s fall from grace in recent season has been spectacular and De Jong’s Camp Nou transfer has been anything but the dream he’d hoped.
Lionel Messi has left, the club are in a financial mess and their rivals Real Madrid and Atletico look to be in a much better position than they are as Ronald Koeman struggles in Catalonia.
De Jong’s talent is unquestionable but he’s done nothing to replicate the form of his Ajax days just yet.
Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea fans were thrilled when the £37m signing of Ziyech was announced out of the Blues.
The tricky winger had tormented Chelsea’s defence in a Champions League thriller in the same season that his switch to west London was confirmed.
He also scored against Spurs in the semi-final defeat with a curling beauty.
His form at Stamford Bridge has been desperately disappointing.
The 28-year-old has yet to hit the ground running, though there has been rare moments of brilliance.
It wouldn’t be totally surprising if Ziyech was offloaded at the end of the season, with a slower pace of play in another league perhaps more suited to his game.
Ajax starting XI vs Tottenham – where are they now?
Andre Onana – still at Ajax but free agent at end of 2021/22 campaign
Nicolas Tagliafico – still at Ajax
Daley Blind – still at Ajax
Matthijs de Ligt – at Juventus following £67m switch, and target for Chelsea next summer
Noussair Mazraoui – still at Ajax
Lasse Schone – joined Genoa in 2019, then Hereenveen and then returned to former club NEC
Frenkie de Jong – at Barcelona following £65m switch in 2019
Dusan Tadic – current captain of Ajax
Donny van de Beek – outcast at Manchester United
Hakim Ziyech – struggling for form at Chelsea
Kasper Dolberg – joined Nice in 2019