Ajax New Attack Under Maurice Steijn Tactics – Benjamin Tahirović & Carlos Borges Scout Report

Last summer contained plenty of change for Ajax.

After finishing third in the Eredivisie, 13 points off champions Feyenoord, the entire Board of Directors resigned, along with interim manager John Heitinga not being retained after Alfred Schreuder was sacked only a few months into the 2022/23 season.

Then, Ajax appointed Maurice Steijn as their new manager this summer, taking him from Sparta Rotterdam.

After that, the transfer window went into full flow, with plenty of incomings and outgoings occurring at the Amsterdam club.

It all began with club captain Dušan Tadić terminating his contract over what he called a lack of quality in the squad.

Key players were sold, with Mohammed Kudus and Edson Álvarez joining West Ham United, Jurriën Timber joining Arsenal, Calvin Bassey joining Fulham, and Mohamed Daramy joining Stade de Reims.

However, Ajax have made some excellent signings as well, with the club essentially rebuilding Steijns attack.

In regards to attacking signings, Carlos Borges has come in from Manchester City, Chuba Akpom from Middlesbrough, Benjamin Tahirović from Roma, Branco van den Boomen from Toulouse, and are now very close to completing the signing of 22-year-old Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze from FC Metz.

This Maurice Steijn tactical analysis will look at two names who will be interesting to see in this new-look Ajax attack: Benjamin Tahirović and Carlos Borges.

Both players have had relatively short careers at the senior level, and they will likely be asked to make a significant impact by Maurice Steijn throughout this season.

How will Benjamin Tahirović fit into Maurice Steijn Ajax attack? 

The first new key attacking player that this analysis will look at is Bosnian midfielder Benjamin Tahirović.

The 20-year-old joined from AS Roma for a fee in the region of €7.5 million, with his signing representing an excellent investment for the Amsterdam side.

The young Bosnian international brings multiple traits to the Ajax midfield, probably none more key than his range of passing and distribution.

The data viz graphic above shows the progressive passes of Benjamin Tahirović during his time with AS Roma last season and currently with Ajax.

The 20-year-old Bosnian international has started in all three of Ajaxs matches this season, with him forming a partnership alongside fellow new signing Branco van den Boomen as part of a double pivot.

In this partnership,