ARKADIUSZ MILIK |

In his debut piece, Ethan Gore looks at Ajax’s Polish striker Arek Milik and ponders whether or not he could have an impact for the Amsterdam giants this season…

Milik had been on loan from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the 2014/15 season but Ajax had a clause in the loan deal that allowed them to purchase the striker permanently for €2.5m at any time during the loan deal. On 1st April, the deal was confirmed and Ajax had signed Milik permanently and it was revealed he would take the number nine shirt for the new season, replacing Kolbeinn Sigthorsson who had previously wore it.

Milik’s first season for Ajax was a huge success – hence, why they wished for his permanent signature. The 21-year-old scored 23 goals in total in 33 appearances for Ajax – 11 in the Eredivisie – making him an instant fan-favourite. He has the capability of replicating his form from last season once again, and with the players around him such as Davy Klaassen, Anwar El Ghazi, Riechedly Bazoer and Lasse Schone – he’ll have no problem with delivery. Milik has already scored one so far this season in the Champions League, however, unfortunately for Ajax they are out of the competition after being defeated by Rapid Wien over two legs.

Milik’s got a great eye for goal and has proved his ability up-top, he’s very clinical and when given the opportunity, he takes it very well. His hold-up play and ability to shoot from distance make him the perfect, all-rounded striker along with his work-rate on and off the ball. Milik has the perfect pedigree for a striker and definitely has the ability to perform to high levels yet again this season.

If he stays fit for the whole season then he will undoubtedly play a huge part in Ajax’s title charge but he cannot do it alone as other players will obviously have to contribute. Although the young Pole is the key-man upfront and should he contribute the goals then he will be accredited as one of the huge factors for a potential title win.

Click on Ethan’s name above to follow him on Twitter.

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2014

AJAX 2 – 1 HERACLES

Ajax returned to winning ways rather unconvincingly against manager-less Heracles who suffered their fifth straight defeat, still searching for their first point writes Will Burns.

Amsterdam coach Frank de Boer began the game with young Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik, a loanee from Bayer Leverkusen, up front in place of Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, with possibly thoughts of Wednesday’s Champions League home clash against Ligue 1 money men Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year old was the scorer of both goals in this win and maybe gave De Boer food for thought for his future selections.

Milik fired out of the blocks and grabbed his first goal within a minute. Danish midfielder Lasse Schöne threaded a poor ball through which Milik had to work on and overpower Heracles defender Bart Schenkeveld. The Pole did wonderfully to knock the big defender off the challenge and smash a low drive across Dennis Telgenkamp’s goal to send the ArenA into raptures.

The defending champions had plenty of chances to kill the game off but depended on Milik to find the second goal on the stroke of half-time. After some great work from young winger Anwar El-Ghazi skipping through Heracles’ challenges, Milik cut inside to fire home from the edge of the area.

Thomas Bruns saw his close range effort saved from Jasper Cillessen just after the restart which fired a warning to Ajax that Heracles may be down but certainly not out. The visitors gained the majority of the possession but failed to bother the Dutch international goalkeeper until four minutes remaining.

Substitute Bas Sibum easily sent a cross over without a decent challenge from Nicolas Boilesen and Wout Weghorst nodded an excellent header into Cillessen’s goal. The relegation contenders then gave Ajax a torrid time as the time wore on, however Ajax held on for the win.

TEAMS

AJAX: Cillessen, Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen (Zimling 61), Klaassen (Duarte 75), Viergever, Serero, El Ghazi, Milik, Schöne (Andersen 62).

SUBS NOT USED: Boer, Van der Hoorn, Sigthorsson, Ligeon.

GOALS: Milik 3, 45+1.

BOOKINGS: Milik 74, Duarte 90+3.

HERACLES: Telgenkamp, Te Wierik, Schenkeveld, Veldmate, Engberink, Bruns (Bel Hassani 71), Pelupessy (Sibum 81), Fledderus, Tannane (Navratil 74), Weghorst, Linssen.

SUBS NOT USED: Fij, Koenders, Paljic, Cziommer.

GOALS: Weghorst 86.

BOOKINGS: None.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Arkadiusz Milik (Ajax)