Jorthy Mokio is at risk of losing the midfield competition at Ajax to Youri Regeer and Davy Klaassen following the club's 2-1 friendly victory over Burnley on Sunday.
Ajax's new coach Míchel fielded Mokio alongside Jinairo Johnson and Abdellah Ouazane in midfield.
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However, Voetbal International highlighted Mokio's defensive shortcomings despite his occasional impressive ball control and athleticism.
The analysis points to Mokio's "lax defensive attitude" causing tactical problems.
His failure to properly assess defensive risks and tendency to overcommit to ball recovery efforts left spaces vulnerable behind him.
"Where some fans lamented the coach's conservative midfield picks with Klaassen and Regeer last Thursday, Mokio’s performance against Burnley also shows why he is currently losing the battle for these positions," according to Voetbal International.
Burnley playmaker Hannibal Mejbri repeatedly exploited Mokio's defensive weaknesses. He drew Mokio out and used the space behind him to set up teammates.
"Mokio often focuses eagerly on the ball but forgets the space behind him," the report stated.
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"Hannibal repeatedly lures Mokio by holding the ball under control before finding a free player in Mokio’s back zone."
Despite Mokio’s flair and moments that earned applause from the Johan Cruijff Arena crowd, his defensive lapses overshadowed these contributions.
"The match against Burnley again revealed that Mokio still has a long way to go before becoming a guaranteed starter at Ajax," said Voetbal International.
Youri Regeer appears to have secured a regular spot in the midfield under coach Míchel despite recent criticism from fans.
Regeer’s consistent selection contrasts with Mokio’s uncertain status at the club.
Voetbal International noted that after Regeer’s selection in a previous Conference League match, some supporters harshly criticized his abilities, yet the coach continues to rely on him as part of the team’s structure.
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Mokio’s challenge remains balancing his attacking instincts with defensive discipline to earn a trusted position at Ajax moving forward.
