One of Ajax's biggest issues this season has been the lack of runs in behind from the forward line.

Oscar Gloukh and Abdellah Ouazane have been Ajax's two main left wingers this season, but both players like to receive the ball into their feet and between the lines, as they've both played in more central areas frequently throughout their careers. On the right wing, both Viktor Tsygankov and Steven Berghuis also like to receive the ball into their feet, as does Davy Klaassen, who has played on the right on a few occasions in the last few games.

Tolu Arokodare has been exceptional, but he is more of a target man as opposed to a centre-forward who runs into space. Marcos Leonardo has shown willingness to make runs into deeper areas, but the Brazilian forward has struggled for form in front of goal and has therefore not started regularly. 

Ajax signed Simon Adingra on deadline day as a replacement for Mika Godts on the left wing following the Belgian winger's departure to Paris Saint-Germain. Adingra is capable of making runs in behind the opposition's defence to stretch play, but the Ivorian winger has struggled with injuries during his first few months in Amsterdam. He has only made one appearance for Ajax so far, which came against NEC Nijmegen, when he came on as a substitute for the final half an hour of the game.

Speaking on the AD Voetbal Podcast, journalist Johan Inan urged Jordi Cruijff to sign a left winger in January who can make runs in behind and attack the space.

"I would look at the flanks. I feel that Ajax doesn't really have any stability there yet," Inan said when talking about which positions Ajax could strengthen in January.

"The left winger position is perhaps the spot Ajax can strengthen best.

"Ajax has now loaned Adingra from Sunderland. He arrived with an injury, seemed recovered, but injured his ankle again.

"The fact that Ajax did not make any major transfers in the final week of the transfer window, but mainly relied on loan players and free agents, was of course not without reason.

"In the dream scenario, Míchel Sánchez will soon have a very good left winger who can make runs in behind. He talks about that very often."

Before signing Adingra in the summer, the Amsterdammers held talks over a deal to sign Noa Lang, and he was seemingly one of their top targets to strengthen the left wing. The transfer did not materialise, though, reportedly due to Napoli's asking price.

Lang has played nine times for Napoli this season in all competitions, scoring once. The Dutch winger has had a difficult time in Naples and could leave the club in January.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Lang could make a transfer in January. Napoli would be prepared to listen to offers and see whether they can recoup the investment they made in the winger. For Lang himself, it is important to find a club where he can be a key player and find continuity.

While Lang is a top player, Ajax have several options on the left wing, including Ouazane, who has looked very good this season. It would be better for Ajax to sign a right winger who can hold the width and make runs in behind. Both Berghuis and Tsygankov like to move into more central areas, so Michel needs a different profile in that position.