De Jong is made for Barcelona and can help fill the void left by Xavi and Iniesta
SunSport's European expert Lothar Matthaus warns Tottenham of Ajax's midfield maestro ahead of their Champions League tie
IT’S no surprise that all the big clubs in Europe wanted classy Frenkie de Jong.
When I watch the 21-year-old midfielder, I see a player who is made for Barcelona.
These two clubs are linked by the Johan Cruyff story and so all Ajax players think about going to Barca because of what he achieved.
If you look at Barcelona, they have lots of quality - but still miss that little bit extra they had with Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
De Jong can help fill that void when he heads to the Nou Camp this summer in a £75million deal.
He is that sort of player, with his passing, vision and ability to hurt teams.
So Tottenham must close him down.
IN SUBS WE TRUST
Obviously, it is a blow Spurs are missing Heung-Min Son as well as Harry Kane - but they must think positively.
I wasn’t shocked by their on Saturday.
Mauricio Pochettino might be focused on the Premier League but in the players’ minds, pressure is so complicated.
Some will have had their focus on tonight’s game.
Sure, Son and Kane are key players and will be missed.
But Pochettino has to trust those who have been on the bench - Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente.
They have maybe been a little angry and this is the motivation to show they deserve to start.
Spurs just have to find another way to score and get the right result.
TADIC'S MATURITY TEST
Dusan Tudic went to school in England at Southampton.
But he is now passing his final examinations at Ajax playing as a false nine.
He’s strong physically and technically and knows when to give the ball and use the quality and speed of younger team-mates.
Ajax are very direct and dangerous out wide - but that has been helped by Tadic’s passing.
FEAR THE DEFENDERS
At the back, Matthijs de Ligt is Ajax’s organiser, a real captain and so strong in the air.
The 19-year-old centre-back has a belief in himself as well.
That’s what made him think he could score the crucial goal in Turin against Juventus in their quarter-final.
De Ligt is a proud footballer, full of confidence, who backs himself in every duel.
Spurs must be aware Ajax use an aggressive offensive press on the ball.
This side play very attractive football and have the right mix of good young players - but also with experienced stars in every department.
Defender Daley Blind, 29, in midfield 32-year-old Lasse Schone and up front Dusan Tadic, 30.
This trio have helped the younger players thrive this season.
HOME (DIS)ADVANTAGE
Ajax are unbeaten in eight Champions League away games - including the qualification rounds - and dominated at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus.
But it’s a different story at home where they conceded three against Bayern, lost against Real and drew with Juve.
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That is where Tottenham, with Son Heung-min back, can hurt them.
For me, Spurs don’t have to win tonight.
They must, though, make sure they do not lose.
