Ajax spent just under €20 million to bring Marcos Leonardo to Amsterdam during the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian forward left Santos for Benfica in 2024, before leaving the Portuguese club just nine months later to join Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. During his time at Al Hilal, Leonardo scored 48 goals in 82 games, which attracted the interest of Ajax.

Leonardo has endured a difficult start to his Ajax career. In all competitions so far this season, Leonardo has accumulated an xG (expected goals) of 5.17, but has only scored two goals in nine games.

Tolu Arokodare, who Ajax signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, has started the season very strongly and is seemingly Michel Sanchez's first-choice striker as things stand.

To make matters worse for Leonardo, Kasper Dolberg now seems to be higher than the Brazilian in the pecking order. Against Fortuna Sittard, Dolberg came on while Leonardo stayed on the bench, and against Willem II, Michel rested Tolu but again chose to play with Dolberg instead of Leonardo.

In an interview with Algemeen Dagblad, Ronald De Boer shared his thoughts on Leonardo's performances so far and also revealed what Jordi Cruijff told him when he spoke to the Ajax director about Leonardo.

"We have a tendency in the Netherlands to criticize players quickly," De Boer said.

 "The fact that we have to be patient doesn't mean we can't be critical.

"He has already missed five clear-cut chances. And that is unacceptable for an Ajax striker.

"His footballing ability is not as impressive as I expected. He is no Ronaldo or Messi. He doesn't have to be. Filippo Inzaghi never participated in positional play at Milan, yet he was a regular top scorer."

"I spoke to Jordi, and he is convinced that he is going to score a lot more. He believes he will make twenty. Then those big chances just have to go in," De Boer explained.

"The statistics at his previous clubs were unprecedented for such a young player. I think I can see how that is possible, because he makes amazing runs. He’s gone from his opponent out of nowhere. And he’s only 23, you know."

Leonardo will be a success at Ajax. His issue right now is simply a lack of confidence. The fact that he has constantly been getting into great goal-scoring positions shows that he is making the right runs and that his movement in the penalty box is good.

While he struggled during his short time at Benfica, he proved himself to be a great goal-scorer during his time at Santos and Al Hilal. Once he rediscovers his confidence, he will score goals for this Ajax team.

The main issue Leonardo has now is that both Tolu and Dolberg are playing very well. Tolu also has so many attributes a head coach would want in a striker. He can hold up the ball really well; he is strong in duels, creates chances in the penalty box and scores goals. If he keeps up his current form, he will likely continue to start games regularly for Ajax.

Dolberg was poor last year and also did not start the season particularly well, but scored against Fortuna Sittard and looked excellent against Willem II, registering a goal and two assists.

In the short term, Leonardo's game time may therefore be limited, but he just has to keep working hard and ensure he takes his chance when he gets it.