Van der Gijp ecstatic: ‘Gone for €45 million at the end of the year’

René van der Gijp liked what he saw from Ajax in Thursday evening's 2-0 Conference League win over Atalanta. The Vandaag Inside pundit is particularly excited by an experienced spine of Marc-André ter Stegen, Daley Blind, Julian Brandt and Tolu Arokodare. He believes the Amsterdam club can build around them with young players from their academy.

Ajax picked up their first Conference League win on Thursday, a week after a 2-1 defeat to Hajduk Split. Speaking on Friday evening on Vandaag Inside, the former forward praised their football: "I have to be completely honest, Wilfred, I watched the first half. At times it was really enjoyable football, really enjoyable football."

"What I also like is what they'll have with Ter Stegen, Blind, Brandt, Tolu and possibly one more," he said. "And you should fill the rest with your own youngsters."

Ouazane particularly impressed Van der Gijp after coming on down the left and making it 2-0 with a powerful shot that went in off the underside of the bar. "That's a tremendous shot. You can say the goalkeeper should save it, but come on," said Van der Gijp.

"If you have a player like that (like Ouazane, ed.), aren't you, as a coach, also somewhat obliged to develop him to the point where someone offers €45 million for him at the end of the year? Or not?"

Tolu's development also came up after the striker scored again against Atalanta. Johan Derksen wondered why the forward had failed in England, prompting Van der Gijp to point to his outstanding performances at Racing Genk and his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "Then you end up at a club fighting relegation, but how many chances do you get in a month?" he asked. "Two? I don't think he's bad."