What could have been.

Ok, Footie nuts,

Hands up, who remembers the Total Football that was invented by Ajax Amsterdam? The very famous 3-4-3 formation? The breeding ground of some of Hollands most talented footballers?

The thing that Ajax have done better than any other team out there dating back since the 80's, was develop. They never went out and bought their stars, they developed their youth.

Ajax's youth system is clearly something that has not just been effective, but it has really set the bench mark that   many other European clubs are still trying to emulate.

In 1995, the year they were crowned European champions, the national dutch team was littered with Ajax Amsterdam players. The likes of Edwin van Der Sar, Reiziger, Frank De Boer, Danny Blind, Ronald De Boer, Edgar Davids, Seedorf, Kluivert and Overmars all came through the Ajax youth system. Legends like Johan Cruyff, Denis Bergkamp, the Great Marco van Basten, were also part of this amazing program. Current stars that have graduated through in recent years include, Rafael Van De Vaart, Stekelenburg, Nigel De Jong and the ex Liverpool winger/misfit Ryan Babel. Add to this, that they don't just try and develop homegrown dutch players. They have satellite clubs around the world. The most famous one (To us Saffers) is obviously Ajax Cape Town. A club that has given them Benni 'KFC' McCarthy (argued that he was the reason Ajax branched out in South Africa) Steven Pienaar, and most recently Serero. Even the Ajax Arena was one of the first football stadiums that has a retractable roof. What we notice here is that Ajax really have an eye for the future. No doubting that.

So the question is, with all this talent and forward thinking...where has it gone wrong for Ajax? Why has it taken them so long to win the Eredivisie? It took them seven years to win their 30th league title. Will they ever be the European giants that they were in the past? I don't think they will. Here's why:

1. Money
2. Money
3. Money

The lack of money that the Eredivisie generates is minute compared to other countries whose clubs dominates the current European club competitions. Their current crop of players are probably the best they have had in the last 5 seasons. Current Liverpool front man Suarez was instrumental in helping them win the league last year. Another player who is getting a lot of attention from "bigger" teams across Europe is Eriksson. Still young, great touch, good eye for a pass and he gets goals too. The sad part is, Ajax knows that he won't be around at the Ajax Arena next season. And there is nothing they can do about it. But I feel, that they are "happy" to be a feeder club to other European teams. This way, they get to survive financially. 

It was nice seeing Ajax in this years champions league. And I feel that they will be there next season again...to fill the numbers. The days of total Football is long gone. Doubting it will return again.