During the summer transfer window, Ajax completed the signing of Daley Blind on a free transfer from Girona as they looked to strengthen their central defence. Blind worked with current Ajax head coach Michel Sanchez during their time at Girona.

Blind started a couple of games during UEFA Conference League qualifying, but has not played for Ajax in over two months since suffering an injury in the away game against Shelbourne FC.

Blind is now nearing a return to action. He will not be available against Atalanta, but he trained with the team on Wednesday, and Michel Sanchez hopes he will be available for Sunday's game against Sparta Rotterdam.

Blind will have a lot of competition for his place when he returns. Youri Baas has started most of Ajax's games at left centre-back, and Dies Janse has also shown real signs of promise in the minutes he's played so far this season.

Ajax signed several players during the summer transfer window, and a few have made strong impressions in the early stages of their Ajax careers. Tolu Arokodare and Julian Brandt have been particularly impressive, but Frank de Boer believes that Blind was Ajax's signing of the summer, despite the fact that the defender has been injured for over two months.

"That is the very best signing," De Boer said speaking about Blind to Sportnieuws.nl.

"He is so important in terms of tactical insight and communication. 

"Daley coaches everyone and that is so important.

"He gives him so much confidence. I would always field him at left-central, because they started really well this season. It is a terrible shame that he got injured.

"Of course, he will be vulnerable when he gets into open spaces, but because he coaches so well, he hardly ever gets into trouble.

De Boer believes that Blind's ability to coach players on the field is crucial, and he is also of the opinion that Blind's arrival at Ajax has helped Aaron Bouwman significantly.

"You suddenly see Bouwman completely brighten up, and in my eyes, that is thanks to Blind," De Boer said.

Blind has several very impressive qualities and can be of real value for Ajax, but he was not Ajax's best signing in the summer. Both Tolu and Brandt will be far more important for Ajax this season as the club looks to push for the Eredivisie title.

Tolu has scored seven goals in 12 games in all competitions. He wins a lot of his duels, and his hold-up play is brilliant. Brandt has scored eight goals in 14 appearances in all competitions and while he is yet to register an assist, no player in the Eredivisie has created more chances than him.

While De Boer believes Blind will be a crucial player for Ajax when he returns, it is likely Blind's minutes will be limited when he returns. Baas has had a good start to the season, and the club needs to ensure that Janse also continues to get regular minutes so that he can continue to develop his game.