Michel Sanchez has provided an update on the Ajax squad ahead of the game against PSV Eindhoven on Saturday night.
Ajax host PSV Eindhoven at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday night in the Amsterdam club's fourth Eredivisie game of the season.
Ajax have picked up seven points in three games so far this season, defeating PEC Zwolle and Telstar, while sharing the points with SC Heerenveen after the club from Friesland came from 2-0 down to salvage a point.
Michel Sanchez's team has also had to focus on UEFA Conference League qualifying games in the early stages of this season, and has now qualified for the league phase after beating Vojvodina, Shelbourne FC and FC Sion.
PSV lost to AZ Alkmaar 4-0 in the Johan Cruijff Schaal and has won three games and drawn one so far in the Eredivisie. They drew with Fortuna Sittard on the opening day of the season, before beating Excelsior, FC Groningen and FC Utrecht. The wins against Groningen and Utrecht were particularly convincing, with Peter Bosz's team scoring a combined total of eleven goals across the two games.
Michel Sanchez provides squad update ahead of game
Ajax and PSV will likely be the two main teams challenging for the title, and Saturday's game in Amsterdam could set the tone for the title race.
Ahead of this crucial game, Michel has provided a squad update regarding which players are and are not available.
Amrabat to make debut
Michel has confirmed that Sofyan Amrabat will make his Ajax debut on Saturday after the Moroccan joined Ajax on a free transfer towards the end of the transfer window.
"He will play on Saturday. Physically, he is ready. Of course, we have to see how the match unfolds, but he is ready," Michel said regarding Amrabat's potential involvement in the game.
Blind, Bounida and Adingra not available
Michel revealed that Rayane Bounida is still not available; neither is Daley Blind. The Ajax head coach provided an update on the defender's situation.
"He visited a specialist this week. He is at least running around again, but it is still too early to say when he will return. He has, however, made significant progress," Michel said, speaking on Blind's injury.
Simon Adingra, who moved to Ajax on deadline day on loan from Sunderland, will not play against PSV as he is still recovering from an injury.
"He hasn't trained with the team yet. That is due to an ankle injury. He is recovering. We expect him to be available in a month," Michel said, speaking on Adingra's situation.
Tsygankov and Kehrer available
New signings Viktor Tsygankov and Thilo Kehrer are available for selection, and Michel admitted that Tsygankov starting on the left wing could be an option in Adingra's absence.
" That is a possibility. At the moment, he is going through a difficult process. Physically, it is difficult to see what he can bring to the match against PSV. However, he does have all the capabilities to play anywhere up front," Michel said when asked about Tsygankov starting on the left wing.
Does this game come too early for Ajax?
Saturday's game against Peter Bosz's side could set the tone for the title race, but it probably comes too early for Ajax.
Amrabat and Kehrer only signed for Ajax a few days ago, while Tsygankov is not fully ready physically yet. Adingra is also not yet fit to play.
While Ajax have shown a lot of positive signs so far, it is clear that Michel still has work to do, as Ajax still look vulnerable at times, especially defensively. That, in addition to the fact that a number of the new signings have not played yet, means it will probably be a difficult game for Ajax.
That being said, Michel's side has a lot of quality, and PSV have also shown vulnerabilities, as seen against AZ and Fortuna Sittard.
