Ajax significantly strengthened their midfield in the summer, with the club making three new signings in that position and several players also departing.

Julian Brandt, Sofyan Amrabat and Yves Bissouma all signed for Ajax on free transfers, while Sean Steur and Kian Fitz-Jim departed to Newcastle United and Torino, respectively, on permanent transfers. Youri Regeer moved to Werder Bremen on loan after a poor start to the season with Ajax.

Regeer started the majority of games in the No. 6 position during UEFA Conference League qualifying, but Jorthy Mokio has played a lot of minutes in that position since Regeer's departure.

Sofyan Amrabat has only started one game for Ajax since his arrival, but will likely start for Ajax in defensive midfield in most games this season. Bissouma can also play there.

Most of Mokio's minutes will therefore likely come in the No. 8 position, although Davy Klaassen and Bissouma can both play there, too.

In the No. 10 position, Ajax have several options, but Brandt will likely start most games there when fit. He has been exceptional so far this season.

FC Porto, which is now managed by former Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, held talks with Ajax over signing Youri Baas. The two clubs, however, failed to reach an agreement. The central defender was not the only Ajax player who attracted interest from Porto, though. Mokio was also on the shortlist of the Portuguese giants.

According to Het Parool, Farioli would have liked to reunite with Mokio at Porto during the summer transfer window. Farioli sees huge potential in Mokio, but a transfer did not materialise.

Farioli is said to be a big fan of Mokio's versatility. 

Mokio is an exceptional player, and it is certainly a positive that he signed a long-term contract with Ajax, keeping him at the club until 2031.

Jordi Cruijff has received some criticism for his approach to squad building being too focused on the short-term, but players like Mokio are why Ajax can be successful beyond just this season.

Amrabat only signed a two-year contract, and Bissouma's contract is just for one season. Klaassen is still a useful player, but at 33 years of age, his best days are probably behind him. 

Mokio can play as the No. 6, and Michel Sanchez has used him in that position, but he likes getting up and down the pitch, which means his long-term future probably lies as more of a box-to-box midfielder.