AFC Ajax are strengthening their squad with the signings of Thilo Kehrer and Simon Adingra following a 3-1 home defeat to rivals PSV Eindhoven. The club currently sits fifth in the Eredivisie table with seven points from four matches and a goal difference of plus four.
What did manager Míchel say about the PSV loss?
According to Voetbal International, manager Míchel refused to measure his team directly against champions PSV after the 3-1 defeat. He stressed the match was even and praised his players' mentality. "I think it was a very equal match," Míchel said. "The small details made the difference." He also explained his decision to substitute goalscorer Tolu Arokodare after an hour. The coach tried a double striker solution with Kasper Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo and wanted Julian Brandt to move inside for more midfield control. Ajax now trails league leaders PSV by six points in the title race.
Which new players are arriving in Amsterdam?
A report from roundtable.io states Ajax have agreed a deal for defender Thilo Kehrer. De Telegraaf reported that AS Monaco has given the German permission to travel to Amsterdam for a medical. The clubs are finalising the details of a loan move. Kehrer, a centre-back with experience at Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United, is meant to bolster the defence. Additionally, beIN Sports confirmed the arrival of Simon Adingra. The 24-year-old Ghanaian joins on a season-long loan from Sunderland, with an option to buy. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Monaco.
What is Ajax's current league position?
The loss to PSV was Ajax's first defeat of the season. The team has won twice, drawn once, and lost once so far. In total, the Amsterdammers have scored nine goals and conceded five. The next assignment is an away match against Fortuna Sittard on September 12th. Fortuna currently sits seventh in the table. The full league schedule can be found on the standings page.
Where does Kehrer fit into the squad?
Kehrer's arrival follows a summer where Ajax overhauled their defence. Josip Sutalo, Ko Itakura, and Ahmetcan Kaplan departed, while Daley Blind returned. Kehrer is a right-footed central defender, a profile the club sought after a rejected bid for Enzo Boyomo. His statistics in the physical Ligue 1 are impressive; last season he won 63.7% of his duels. His top-level experience should aid in the title challenge. The current squad list provides an overview of all players. Ajax plays Fortuna Sittard in seven days.
