AJAX — The continuing conversation about who should occupy Ajax’s left flank has taken a tactical turn after recent remarks from FC Twente forward Daan Rots. Rots told Goedemorgen Eredivisie he understands why Ajax coach Míchel is selecting Oliver Edvardsen over young dribbler Abdellah Ouazane, even as many fans and pundits call for the more expressive attacker to start.
Coach’s choice rooted in balance, not lack of talent
Edvardsen started on the left in Ajax’s last two matches, according to the broadcast, and while he had a difficult outing against Fortuna Sittard, the team recovered to a convincing 1-5 victory. Ouazane came on as a substitute after Edvardsen’s struggles — an appearance that reignited debate among supporters and pundits alike.
Rots, who watched Ouazane live in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie when he faced Jong Ajax for De Graafschap, said the youngster has clear individual quality. But he argued the coach’s decision makes sense within the team’s structure.
"Everyone thinks: the player who does three stepovers should be picked. But if you really understand football, like that Ajax coach does, then you understand this: if you have a very creative player in the number ten position, then on the flank it is better to have a disciplined player,"
Rots added that Míchel recognises what is best for the unit as a whole: "The Ajax coach does see that, and a great many Ajax players do not. They would really like to see Ouazane, but of course you have to weigh up what is best for your team."
Voices inside and outside the club
Not everyone agrees with that approach. Former players and commentators have voiced puzzlement that Edvardsen continues to be selected ahead of the exciting Ouazane. Presenter Milan van Dongen responded by pointing to the aspects of play that do not show up on highlight reels: tracking back, holding width and defensive discipline.
Those qualities, Rots said, can be more valuable in a system that already deploys a creative number ten, because they help maintain balance and defensive cover on the flank.
- Selection pattern: Míchel started Oscar Gloukh and Oliver Edvardsen on the left in Ajax’s two most recent matches.
- Substitute impact: Edvardsen struggled against Fortuna Sittard, opening the door for Abdellah Ouazane to enter as a substitute in a match Ajax won 1-5.
- Scouting note: Rots’s live observation of Ouazane in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie highlighted the winger’s ability to beat multiple opponents even as a teenager.
What this means for Ajax supporters
For Ajax fans, the debate encapsulates a broader tension in modern team selection: whether to favour individual flair that can change a match in moments, or a more disciplined player who maintains shape and supports the midfield and defence. The coach’s preference for Edvardsen, according to Rots, is a deliberate choice aimed at preserving tactical cohesion when creative players occupy central attacking roles.
That calculus will matter as Ajax juggles competitions and seeks consistent results. If the team’s creative fulcrum remains in the central number ten role, Míchel may well continue to prioritise wingers who contribute defensively and hold width — even if that choice frustrates supporters eager to see a fan‑favourite like Ouazane given a starting berth.
| Player | Role | Recent usage |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Edvardsen | Left wing (disciplined) | Started in last two matches |
| Abdellah Ouazane | Left wing (creative/dribbler) | Substitute vs Fortuna Sittard |
The squad decisions will continue to be scrutinized match by match. For now, the coach’s tactical logic appears to trump the spectacle, a choice that some analysts — and at least one visiting forward who has seen Ouazane up close — say is understandable.
