Ajax are now on the verge of qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after defeating FC Sion 2-4 in Switzerland.

The hosts took the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Franck Surdez, but Julian Brandt levelled the score early in the second half with an impressive finish.

Ajax then took the lead through new signing Marcos Leonardo, who scored his first goal in a competitive game for Ajax after joining from Al Hilal earlier this summer for a fee in the region of €20 million.

A penalty from Ilyas Chouaref made the score 2-2, but Ajax finished the game strongly, with Tolu Arokodare and Davy Klaassen both finding the back of the net to ensure Ajax take a commanding lead back to Amsterdam.

It has not taken Tolu Arokodare long to make a big impact at Ajax.

The striker joined Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, and while his minutes have been limited so far, he has looked exceptional.

He scored in a friendly against FC Volendam and assisted Jorthy Mokio's goal against PEC Zwolle on the opening day of the Eredivisie. On Thursday against FC Sion, he restored Ajax's lead, just minutes after coming on. He also assisted Klaassen's goal, which was Ajax's fourth and final one of the night.

He is consistently making an impact in late-game situations off the bench and is proving to be a very good replacement for Wout Weghorst. If Ajax do win the Eredivisie, it will likely be partly down to Tolu winning crucial points at the back end of games.

While Brandt and Mika Godts don't play the same position, the German midfielder will likely replace a lot of Godts' output. Godts scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in the Eredivisie last season.

With Ajax now having withdrawn from the race to sign Noa Lang, it is unlikely they will sign a winger who can put up anything close to the numbers Godts put up last year.

However, that is not necessarily an issue. Brandt will likely finish the season with 25+ goals and assists if he stays fit. He has already scored three goals in just five games in an Ajax shirt.

His presence significantly reduces the pressure on whichever left winger Ajax signs to replace Godts.

Leonardo has had a difficult start to his Ajax career, but found the back of the net for the first time in an Ajax shirt vs Sion on Thursday night.

While he did also miss chances, he is often in the right places at the right time. That is a very good sign. Throughout his time in Saudi Arabia, he proved himself to be a fairly clinical finisher. 

Once he regains his confidence, he will likely hit the heights everyone was expecting him to when he moved to Ajax. It's still very early days in his Ajax career, and fans need to be patient. Hopefully, though, his goal on Thursday night will provide him with a confidence boost.

Caio Henrique has had a difficult start to his time at Ajax after moving to Amsterdam from AS Monaco this summer.

Offensively and on the ball, Henrique is very good, but from a defensive point of view, he has weaknesses. Those were visible in the away game vs Shelbourne FC, but once again on Thursday against Sion.

If he wants to have a long-term future at Ajax, it is an area of his game he must improve.

It has been very clear for a long time that Ajax need a new defensive midfielder. It is expected that the Amsterdammers will sign one before the window closes. However, in the absence of a new player in that position, Youri Regeer has been filling in there.

What is very clear at this stage is that he is not good enough. Even against the likes of Shelbourne FC, Regeer has struggled to make a positive impression, and he produced another lacklustre performance on Thursday against FC Sion.

He is not at the level of an Ajax player, and parting ways before the transfer window closes would be in the best interest of all parties. He needs a fresh start elsewhere.