The Ajax youth Academy is one of the best in the world and has enjoyed amazing success over the years, producing some of football’s greatest players. Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Ronald De Boer, Patrick Kluivert, Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Jan Vertonghen all came through Amsterdamsche Jong Football Club Ajax , better known as the Ajax Youth team. The current Ajax first team also boasts some former students like star midfielder Christian Eriksen and defender Daley Blind and is coached by fellow graduates, manager Frank De Boer and his assistant, Dennis Bergkamp.
Their latest produce is 18-year-old Danish striker Viktor Fischer. The young Dane joined Ajax’s youth team from FC Midtjylland in his home land only a year ago but his progress has been so impressive that he has already made the step up to the first team. He first came to the attention of Ajax after starring for Denmark Under 17’s at the World Cup in 2011. Despite Denmark finishing bottom of the group with 1 point, Fischer’s performances stood out and within weeks of the conclusion of Denmark’s involvement, a host of top European clubs were enquiring about the youngster. Although Fischer had his choice between Chelsea, Manchester City and Inter Milan, he chose Ajax as the best place to continue his career and signed a 3 year deal with them.
After only a short few months with the Youth team, Fischer’s potential was spotted by assistant manager Dennis Bergkamp who informed coach Frank De Boer of his qualities. De Boer was impressed by the youngster and promoted him to the first team for this season’s pre season, on the understanding that he would be a bit part player and would learn from the other strikers in the squad. But again Fischer shone in pre season, scoring on his debut against SV Huizen. As the new season began, talk of Fischer’s potential began to start with the Ajax’s fans who were keen to see the next academy graduate take centre stage. And it didn’t take long. On October 20th, Fischer came from the bench to make his first team debut of the season in the 3-3 draw with Heracles Almelo. Eleven days later, he scored his first goal in the cup against ONS Sneek in a match that Ajax eventually won 2-0. Fischer’s progressed quickly to the next stage making his Champions League debut against English champions, Manchester City on the 6th November 2012, coming again from the bench to play the last 5 minutes of the match. De Boer’s confidence in his young striker was growing by the day and it was getting harder for him to leave the Dane out of his starting eleven.
Eventually De Boer could resist no more and named Fischer in his starting team for the game against PEC Zwolle, in the Eredivisie league match on 11th November. Fischer did not disappoint scoring twice in that game and showing the world that he has the ability to become one of the world’s best strikers. Both goals were simple in their execution, a toe poke past the scrambling keeper for his first then a delicate back post header for his second but it was his overall game that impressed interested watchers that day. His movement is superb, his eye for goal clear to see and his technical ability a joy to watch. With scouts from Manchester United and Barcelona in the crowd, it will be hard for De Boer and Ajax to hold onto the youngster for long. But for Fischer, Ajax is home for the time being and he is keen to stay focused and score as many goals as he can for the club this season. Described as one of Denmark’s most promising talents for a decade and having recently made his full Danish international debut at only 18 years of age, its clear that Fischer has a very bright future ahead of him.
To see his first Eredivisie goals, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jee8TBmmroE&feature=relmfu
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