Rafael van der Vaart believes PSV remain ahead of Ajax in the Eredivisie title race, despite the significant strengthening of the Amsterdam club under technical director Jordi Cruyff.

Speaking to German newspaper BILD, Van der Vaart praised Cruyff for the work he has done since taking charge of Ajax’s sporting operations. However, the former Netherlands international still sees PSV as the strongest title contender.

Ajax made a number of significant additions during the latest transfer window, bringing experience and quality into their squad. Julian Brandt and Sofyan Amrabat were among the arrivals, while Tolu Arokodare and Thilo Kehrer also joined the club.

Van der Vaart believes Cruyff has laid a strong foundation, but he does not yet see Ajax overtaking PSV.

“In the end, you need quality, but that will come back. I think Cruyff is doing a great job,” Van der Vaart said on the Phrasenmäher podcast.

“We’ve added a number of very good players with experience. The foundation is now in place and is stable, but PSV is still a little better. But it really will come back.”

His assessment puts PSV slightly ahead despite Ajax’s considerable investment in experienced players.

Van der Vaart was particularly impressed by the direction Ajax have taken since Cruyff became technical director.

The former midfielder believes the club is entering a new period, with the latest transfer activity providing the foundation for further progress.

“This is the first year with him as director. We have brought in a number of good players,” Van der Vaart explained, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Among those additions is goalkeeper Marc Ter Stegen, who joined Ajax after previously representing clubs including Borussia Mönchengladbach and Barcelona.

Van der Vaart considers the experienced goalkeeper an especially strong addition to the squad.

“Marc ter Stegen, for example, is a fantastic goalkeeper. He fits Ajax perfectly,” he said.

Despite his praise for Ajax and Cruyff, Van der Vaart’s current title prediction still favours PSV.

The Eindhoven club retain a slight advantage in his assessment, although he expects Ajax to become a stronger challenger as the new additions settle into the squad.

The comments also underline the changing landscape around the Eredivisie title race. Ajax have used the latest transfer window to add experience, with Brandt, Amrabat, Arokodare, Kehrer and Ter Stegen among the players they have brought to Amsterdam.

For Van der Vaart, however, those moves have not yet been enough to dislodge PSV from the top of his list.

Ajax appear to have the foundation for a new era under Cruyff, but, for now, Van der Vaart still considers PSV the slightly stronger side in the battle for the Eredivisie crown.