Following the sales of star players Gareth Bale and Luka Modric to Spanish giants Real Madrid, Tottenham and Madrid agreed upon a ‘special relationship’. This deal intended to give each club first refusal on players and annual pre-season friendlies against each other. Following the Modric sale neither club has since sold a player to the other and apart from two or three friendlies the arrangement never really amounted to anything. However, the concept of a partnership may still prove beneficial to Tottenham. Over the last number of seasons, Tottenham have bought a number of players from Dutch side Ajax and a partnership may be in the interests of both sides.

Tottenham Should Pursue Ajax Partnership

History

Tottenham and Ajax have a good relationship. Historically, both clubs have close ties to the Jewish communities in their home cities. Many Ajax supporters have Tottenham as their ‘second team’ so any arrangement of pre-season friendlies would be well received and many at Tottenham would welcome an Ajax partnership. Traditionally Ajax are one of the biggest clubs in world football. Unfortunately for them, they are faced with the handicap of being in a sub-par league. This is off-putting for many players. Despite having an academy that few can rival, many of their graduates quickly outgrow the Dutch Eredivisie. Both sides play a similar brand of football so naturally Tottenham have signed quite a few Ajax players in the past.

Player Benefit of an Ajax Partnership

Of the current Tottenham side, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Christain Eriksen have been signed directly from Ajax. Toby Alderweireld also played for both sides but came via Athletico Madrid. Not many, if any, Tottenham players have gone the other way to Amsterdam. However, a partnership giving Ajax first refusal on young players for loan or players Tottenham wish to sell may be mutually beneficial. The likes of Joshua Onomah, who may not be Premier League ready, would thrive in Holland.

Ajax also showed an interest in fellow youngster Marcus Edwards in the summer. As Tottenham grow, the calibre of players that cannot break into the side has increased. The likes of Nabil Bentaleb, Tom Carroll and Ryan Mason may not be ‘elite level’ but they would be quality additions to the Dutch Eredivisie. They would also help Ajax continue to succeed in Europe. The Dutch side got to the Europa League final as recently as last season. Lack of big game experience was one of the factors that let them down.

Verdict

With Tottenham showing interest in the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Justin Kluivert, it only makes sense to try and be on good terms so an Ajax partnership makes good sense. An arrangement of first refusal on their top players would be ideal for Tottenham, with Tottenham offering the same for players they wish to sell. Pre-season friendlies would be financially advantageous for both sides and loaning players will help Ajax on the pitch. Training young Tottenham players in one of the best football environments on Earth in Amsterdam will do wonders for their development. Tottenham would encourage their older, more experienced players who normally wouldn’t go to Holland to consider Ajax. This would help Ajax to win more high-pressure European games, like last season’s Europa League final.

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