Ajax head coach Michel is finalizing his squad for Thursday's Conference League second qualifying round against Serbian side FK Vojvodina, incorporating several academy graduates and recent acquisitions.
The Spanish manager expressed surprise and satisfaction with the performances of young midfielders Abdel Ouazane, Mohamed Abdalla, Pharell Nash, and Jinairo Johnson during pre-season training.
Michel noted the exceptional skill and quick learning ability of the youth prospects while emphasizing a measured approach to their long-term development.
"I am surprised and happy," said Michel. "We are talking about players, some of whom were born in 2009."
The head coach highlighted that while these players possess great talent, he wants to handle their progression carefully to ensure steady growth.
"They are super young players.
I want to take it easy with them, because I don't want to give them the feeling that they are already there.
It's a growth process, but they have great skills and an enormous amount of talent," Michel stated.
He further detailed his tactical expectations for the entire squad ahead of competitive action.
"And the good thing is, they all pick it up very quickly. Right now I feel like they can help us," said Michel.
In addition to the academy prospects, newly signed Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo from Al-Hilal and Argentine winger Maher Carrizo have impressed during pre-season preparations.
Michel praised the track record and competitive drive of the 23-year-old striker Leonardo ahead of his debut season.
"His numbers speak for themselves.
He is a 23-year-old guy who has already played more than 225 matches and has shown everywhere that he can score," Michel said.
He added that Leonardo's presence will significantly boost the team's attacking capabilities.
"He is a player with great drive. He is going to make us so much better.
I want him to write beautiful history with Ajax, because he can do that. It is a team with talent.
We have players with tremendous quality," Michel said.
Focusing on individual roles, Michel outlined how key players like winger Mika Godts fit into his tactical setup.
"A player like Mika, who can pass his opponent in nine out of ten one-on-one duels.
We then have to make sure that we get the ball to him quickly, so that he can use his greatest quality: passing an opponent, giving a cross or finishing it himself," Michel said.
He emphasized that his football philosophy requires total commitment and active participation from all eleven players on the pitch.
"To be able to attack, we need eleven players with personality who want the ball. Not one, not two, not three, not four and not ten.
We want to attack with eleven players," Michel said.
The manager reiterated his requirement for high intensity during both attacking and defensive phases.
"A little bit of pressing doesn't exist. Everything you do on the pitch has to be done one hundred percent.
There is no middle ground.
We want to be a team that attacks and tries to win the ball back as quickly as possible," Michel said.
Analyst Hans Kraay Jr. commented on the arrival of Marcos Leonardo and the high expectations surrounding Ajax for the upcoming campaign.
"I am currently in Mexico with my wife, where I met a few football fans who support Al-Hilal and they are lyrical about Marcos Leonardo, the new Ajax striker.
They say: 'He doesn't look like Messi, but he is a magnet in the opponent's penalty box'," said Hans Kraay Jr.
Kraay Jr. relayed insights from foreign supporters regarding the striker's finishing efficiency.
"So he doesn't shoot them in from forty yards, doesn't pass seven opponents, but the goals he scores all count for one as well.
And these people also said that Ajax is going to get an unbelievable amount of joy from this player," said Kraay Jr.
Addressing the broader goals for the season, Kraay Jr. emphasized that the club must aim for top achievements directly.
"I heard Michel say two weeks ago during his first press conference that Ajax should never end 28 points behind PSV again..."
said Kraay Jr.
He stated that internal standards set by club management demand immediate title contention.
"I sincerely hope that Jordi Cruijff told him that at Ajax you have to become champion and that this also applies to the coming season.
At Ajax, no excuses count, no transition years, no gap year, but the philosophy of Jordi Cruijff: We are Ajax, we must become champion.
Gracias," said Kraay Jr.
According to media analysis from ESPN, 17-year-old midfielder Ouazane and 16-year-old box-to-box midfielder Abdalla feature prominently in first-team plans alongside 20-year-old Argentine winger Carrizo.
"That also applies to the very young midfielders Ouazane (17) and Mohamed Abdalla (16), who made frequent minutes this preparation," reported ESPN.
Reports noted that Ouazane played as a false nine in a pre-season fixture against VfL Bochum, demonstrating versatility between the lines.
"Ouazane is at his best as an attacking midfielder or number 8.
In both roles, Ouazane looks for spaces between the lines and with his dribbles, passing and vision, he is a threatening playmaker," reported ESPN.
Abdalla's rapid promotion through the club's ranks was also highlighted in media reports following his transition from Jong Ajax.
"Abdalla is more of a box-to-box midfielder, who joined Jong Ajax in no time last six months and continues this development imperturbably with the Amsterdam main force," reported ESPN.
Broadcasters concluded that both young midfielders are positioned to remain connected to the senior squad moving forward.
"It seems likely that Ouazane and Abdalla will remain involved with the first team in the coming period," reported ESPN.
Regarding Carrizo, who logged 93 minutes across six substitute appearances last season after joining from Velez Sarsfield, analysts observed increased involvement.
"This preparation, the left-footed right winger stands out with busy performances in which he shows himself as a goal-oriented dribbler," reported ESPN.
Coverage emphasized that Carrizo adds distinct speed and vertical depth to the Ajax frontline.
"With his speed and depth, Carrizo brings something that the Ajax attack is not overflowing with," reported ESPN.
Observers also noted strong communication between Michel and the young Argentine during pre-season matches.
"Michel is very busy with Carrizo during exhibition matches, one of the few players he can reach in his native language, and seems charmed by the Argentine attacker," reported ESPN.
Media reports further noted Michel's positive evaluation of the squad's emerging core during training camp.
"Maher Carrizo came over from Argentine side Velez Sarsfield, but is now a lot closer to a starting spot than in recent months.
Since his arrival at Ajax, Carrizo came to just 93 minutes, spread over six substitute appearances.
This preparation, the left-footed right winger stands out with busy performances, in which he shows himself as a goal-oriented dribbler," reported Soccernews.
nl.
Following their European fixture against FK Vojvodina, Ajax will continue their Conference League qualifying path before opening their domestic Eredivisie campaign against PEC Zwolle on August 9.
