Tottenham beware as Ajax's talent factory rolls out the stars in shades of 1995

Talent factory: Matthijs de Ligt and co are the latest academy-produced stars making a splash at Ajax
AFP/Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

Tottenham will hold no fears for Ajax as the Dutch side look to continue their magical run in the Champions League this season.

Ajax have been the surprise package of this year’s competition, knocking out holders Real Madrid in the last 16 before stunning Juventus in the quarter-finals to set up a clash with Spurs.

They were 250-1 outsiders in July as they kicked off their Champions League journey against Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round. Now Ajax are the first team outside England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France to reach the semi-finals since compatriots PSV Eindhoven 14 years ago.

“It’s bizarre. It’s not normal. I have no words for it,” said Matthijs de Ligt, who scored the winning goal against Juventus on Tuesday.

Ajax have a strong pedigree in Europe. They have won the European Cup four times, most recently in 1995 when it had been rebranded as the Champions League.

In Pictures | Juventus vs Ajax | 16/04/2019

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Incredibly, team captain De Ligt, who is 19, was not even born when Ajax beat AC Milan back then to lift the trophy.

That 1995 side, like the current one, featured young, academy-produced talent such as Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert.

They would go on to become household names around the world as the biggest clubs in Europe cherry-picked them away from Ajax. The same will no doubt happen this summer once their incredible Champions League journey comes to an end.

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 21, has already agreed to join Barcelona for £65million, De Ligt is a target for just about every big club in Europe and midfielder Donny van de Beek will be attracting interest after his showing in Turin.

However, like 24 years ago, Ajax will hope to be crowned European champions before their star players depart. Tottenham beware.

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