Godts wins Cruijff award, Tomiyasu waves goodbye

Mika Godts takes home the silverware

Mika Godts has won the Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year award at the Eredivisie Awards, succeeding Jorrel Hato as the league's standout young player (7). The 20-year-old received the prize from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, someone Godts credits for bringing him to Amsterdam in the first place. "Because of his trust I definitely wanted to come to Ajax," Godts said (1).

Ismael Saibari of PSV took the Player of the Year honour, and the two shared a lighthearted moment afterward, Godts joked his own award came with an asterisk, quipping "Lucky I didn't play" (10).

Tomiyasu signals Ajax exit

Takehiro Tomiyasu appears to have announced his departure from Ajax via an emotional Instagram post (2). "It hasn't worked," the defender wrote, in what reads like a farewell message to the club and supporters (3). No official confirmation yet from Ajax, but the post leaves little room for interpretation.

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García's future: not looking good

Analysts Theo Janssen and Khalid Boulahrouz have urged Ajax not to continue with interim coach Óscar García beyond this season (9). "It would be more logical if he returns to Jong Ajax," Janssen said (9). The search for a permanent manager continues, and the noise from pundits suggests García won't be the answer.

Squad upheaval incoming

Jordi Cruijff is preparing for a major summer clear-out now that the season is over (5). With Josip Sutalo expected to be sold, Serie A and Bundesliga clubs are circling, and Tomiyasu seemingly on his way out, this squad is about to look very different. Aaron Bouwman, however, is one to watch: Jan Mulder has tipped the young defender as a future star, saying "He's going to become a big player" (4).

Godts on his own season and his future

Asked to grade his campaign, Godts offered a candid self-assessment and also addressed the possibility of leaving Ajax this summer (8). The winger didn't rule anything out, though his award-winning season has clearly put him on the map, both inside and outside Amsterdam.

Fan reactions

Ajax supporters are buzzing about Godts' award, with the consensus on Reddit clear: he earned it. Many fans see this as a rare bright spot in a turbulent season and are already nervous about whether the club can hold onto him this summer. Read the full discussion here.

Sources

  • 1. vi.nl — Godts lovend over Huntelaar: 'Door zijn vertrouwen wilde ik zeker naar Ajax'
  • 2. voetbalzone.nl — Takehiro Tomiyasu deelt via Instagram duidelijk bericht over toekomst bij Ajax
  • 3. voetbalprimeur.nl — Ajax-speler lijkt vertrek aan te kondigen in emotionele post: 'Het heeft niet gewerkt'
  • 4. voetbalprimeur.nl — Jan Mulder voorziet mooie toekomst voor Ajax-parel: 'Dat gaat grote speler worden'
  • 5. ad.nl — Voetbalpodcast | ‘De grote schoonmaak gaat nu beginnen bij Ajax’
  • 7. fcupdate.nl — Godts wint Johan Cruijff Award, maar grijpt naast hoofdprijs: 'We weten al wie gaat winnen'
  • 8. fcupdate.nl — Mika Godts geeft zichzelf een cijfer en bespreekt mogelijk vertrek bij Ajax
  • 9. vi.nl — Ajax afgeraden om door te gaan met García: 'Logischer als hij teruggaat naar Jong'
  • 10. voetbalprimeur.nl — Winnaars Saibari en Godts dollen na Eredivisie Awards: 'Geluk dat ik niet speelde'
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