Frank de Boer’s Ajax are firm favourites to retain Eredivisie title
Published:Frank De Boer may have taken a reserved approach to transfer dealings, but with the season ahead offering the Dutch legend a shot at history, he evidently has faith in the squad currently assembled.
In claiming last year’s Eredivisie crown, De Boer equalled Louis van Gaal and Rinus Michels’ jointly-held record of three consecutive league titles at Ajax and the season ahead offers the chance to write a new chapter in the club’s history.
Ajax are priced at 11/10 to retain their Eredivisie crown and look good value considering the domination they have enjoyed over the past three years.
The Amsterdammers have done well to keep hold of stars like Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld but even if they were to depart De Boer has a squad rich in young talent.
Captain Siem de Jong is backed up by Daley Blind and exciting Danish winger Viktor Fischer, while the arrival of Germany under-19 striker Marvin Höner has added to their attacking options.
Highly-rated defender Mike van der Hoorn has signed from FC Utrecht following a run to Europa League qualification while Barcelona’s forgotten man Bojan Krkic has arrived on loan.
Over in Eindhoven, new boss Philip Cocu will likely be expected to oversee a season of transition, with his title prospects hardly helped by the departures the retired Mark Van Bommel along with Dries Mertens and Jeremain Lens.
In their place has come a ragtag bunch of arrivals from former club hero Ji-SungPark and youngsters Santiago Arias, Florian Jozefzoon and Jeffrey Bruma to rising star Adam Maher who arrives from AZ for a hefty €8m following two impressive seasons with AZ Alkmaar.
Should Cocu work wonders with this new squad, then Eindhoven could be a decent punt at 11/5 to claim a first Eredivisie in six years, otherwise it may be better to look elsewhere.
Feyenoord, for instance, are shaping up to be the dark horses of Dutch football and are available at a 11/2 to claim the league title.
Ronald Koeman has worked wonders at the cash-strapped club and pulled off arguably the best bit of business this summer in signing Graziano Pelle on a permanent deal from Parma following 27 goals in 29 games while on loan last term.
Feyenoord finished level on points with PSV last season, missing out on a Champions League spot on goal difference alone and with the likes of AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente previously winning the title on budgets, there is room for optimism.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
