AFC Ajax will be without three players, including Daley Blind, for their friendly match against FC Sion. The club confirmed this week that the defender is not yet ready to return to full team training.
Reporting from MSN indicates that alongside Blind, forwards Steven Bergwijn and Brian Brobbey are also unavailable for the fixture. Specific reasons for their absences were not disclosed. The main concern surrounds Blind, an experienced Dutch international who is a key figure in the backline. The club stated they do not yet know when he will be able to train with the group again.
When will Daley Blind return?
The uncertainty over Daley Blind's fitness is a concern for manager Maurice Steijn. Blind, who featured in 24 league matches last season, is a stalwart in defence. His absence limits the coach's options during a period of squad evaluation. The club is monitoring the 34-year-old's progress daily, but a firm return date has not been set. This situation provides an opportunity for other players to step up and impress during the pre-season schedule.
Who will fill the vacant spots?
Without Bergwijn, Brobbey, and Blind, Steijn must adjust his lineup. This opens doors for members of the broader squad. Young attackers like Amourricho van Axel Dongen or Kristian Hlynsson could see increased minutes. In defence, Gastón Ávila or Ahmetcan Kaplan may get a chance to start. It's an opportunity to build squad depth, which is vital for the long campaign ahead. You can view the complete roster on our squad page.
What does this mean for pre-season?
The friendly against Swiss side FC Sion is part of the preparations for the new Eredivisie season. These matches are designed to build fitness and drill tactical patterns. Missing three players, including two forwards and a defender, disrupts that process to some degree. The primary goal remains to further develop the team's style and improve the group's physical readiness. More test matches are scheduled in the coming weeks, all of which you can find on our fixtures.
The absence of key personnel demands adaptability from the entire team. It serves as a practical test of the squad's depth, which could prove important later in the season. Ajax's next official match is the Eredivisie opener against RKC Waalwijk on August 13th. Preparations for that match continue despite the current absences.
