Ajax is historically one of the biggest clubs in Europe, but they haven't quite reached the same heights in the past several seasons.
So, have you got what it takes to rebuild the great team that once was and claim European silverware once more in FIFA 22 Career Mode?
Team Rating
Ajax has a 4.5-star rating in FIFA 22.
The breakdown of the ratings is as follows: ATT 81, MID 78, DEF 80.
Starting Lineup and Formation
The 4-3-3 (Attack) formation is most suitable for Ajax to get the most out of their attackers whilst remaining defensively stable at the back.
The other variations of the 4-3-3 can also be used depending on your own personal preference.
Starting with the striker and target man, Sebastien Haller, who spearheads a very exciting attack.
Now onto the wingers, we have David Neres and Antony, who BOTH possess five-star skill moves!
The midfield trio is made up of the creative Dusan Tadic in the number 10 role, with the two box-to-box machines, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohammed Kudus in the engine room.
In the full-back positions, we've gone for Noussair Mazraoui and Nicolas Tagliafico, whilst Jurrien Timber partners Lisandro Martinez in central defence.
Maarten Stekelenburg is the man between the posts.
Tactics and Instructions
We want to maximise Haller's goal threat, so instruct the target man to Stay Forward and Stay Central to give him the best possible chance of a sight at goal.
Both full-backs are good defensively but also offer a lot going forward, so instruct Tagliafico and Mazraouri to Overlap but also Stay Back While Attacking to strike a nice balance.
You'll want to keep a good defensive shape, so instruct both the box-to-box CMs to Cover Centre and make sure that Gravenberch is also on Stay Back While Attacking.
Development Plans
When it comes to developing youngsters, it's difficult to know where to start with this Ajax squad which is packed full of high-potential players.
Ryan Gravenberch (POT 90) and Mohammed Kudus (POT 86) can be transformed into a world-class midfield duo with just a few years of training.
Similarly, Jurrien Timber (POT 87) and Lisandro Martinez (POT 86) can become one of the best defensive partnerships in world football, after just a few seasons of playing.
We would recommend converting Mohamed Daramy (POT 82) to an ST, as we think his stats are best suited to that position and he is a great long-term backup option in that role.
Transfer Market
Starting budget: £29 million
Who should go?
Ajax seems to have a pretty lean and young squad, but there are a couple of older players who can be sold to free up funds.
Daley Blind (OVR 82), Steven Berghuis (OVR 82) and Davy Klaassen (OVR 79) can all go to free up some funds for new signings.
We would also be tempted to let Dusan Tadic (OVR 84) leave too, as he can be sold for £35 million ad will only decline in rating in the next few seasons, being 32-years-old.
However, selling Tadic will mean you'll need to sign a new number 10, of course!
The following youngsters can also be sold as their potential rating is not high enough in FIFA 22 to challenge for a first-team spot:
Calvin Raatsie, Youri Baas, Charlie Setford
Loans
Mohamed Daramy (POT 82) is one of the most promising youngsters on the books who isn't near the first team at the moment, so a loan spell early on could do him the world of good.
Perr Schuurs (POT 83), Devyne Rensch (POT 85), Kenneth Taylor (POT 82) and Jay Gorter (POT 82) are all promising young players capable of becoming top quality.
Ajax already has a couple of players out on loan too, with Kik Pierie (POT 77) the main one to keep an eye on.
Who to sign?
As mentioned previously, once you sell Tadic, the main position to fill will be in the number 10 role, and you should have a fair old bit of cash to splash after player sales!
Our preferred option would be Man City midfielder, Phil Foden.
Foden has a potential of 92 in FIFA 22, so will cost a fair old chunk of cash!
Transfer Options (CAM)
Player | Age | Club | Cost | Wage | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phil Foden | 21 | Man City | £81m | £108k | 84 | 92 |
Kai Havertz | 22 | Chelsea | £81m | £112k | 84 | 92 |
Joao Felix | 21 | Atletico Madrid | £71m | £52k | 83 | 91 |
If you manage to sign one of those number 10s, you won't have too much money left to spend.
Having said that, you'll most definitely want to pick up a 'keeper in the next couple of seasons, with Maarten Stekelenburg going into his late thirties.
Board Expectations
You will have to keep an eye on ALL your board expectations as manager of Ajax in FIFA 22 as they are an extremely demanding club!
Brand Exposure, Domestic Success and Youth Development have all been labelled as critical to the success of the club, which means you will HAVE to achieve these goals in order to keep your job.
The board also have assigned high priority to the Financial targets and Continental Success, so it's important you are performing at the highest level with these factors too.
There are absolutely no medium or low priority targets, unfortunately.