Dutch Outlet Defends Ajax Star Oscar Gloukh Amid Criticism
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Dutch football website Ajax Showtime has defended Israeli midfielder Oscar Gloukh against ongoing criticism, highlighting his significant goal contributions for Ajax. Despite facing scrutiny, Gloukh has recorded 14 goal involvements in 20 appearances across all competitions this season. The article acknowledges areas for improvement but argues his overall output justifies greater appreciation. Gloukh is set to play for Israel against Kosovo on Saturday.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ajax Showtime defended Israeli midfielder Oscar Gloukh amid criticism of his performances.
- Gloukh has 14 goal involvements in 20 appearances for Ajax across all competitions this season.
- The fan website argued Gloukh's contributions are often overlooked despite his impressive statistics.
- Former Ajax player Kenneth Perez has been a notable critic of Gloukh's play.
- Coach Michel Sanchez has expressed confidence in Gloukh's work ethic and desire for the ball.
- Gloukh is expected to play for Israel against Kosovo on Saturday.
Despite impressive statistics, Israeli midfielder Oscar Gloukh continues to face criticism from fans and pundits in the Netherlands. The fan website Ajax Showtime has published an article defending the 22-year-old, arguing that his contributions are often overlooked. The article, titled "Gloukh is consistently the scapegoat at Ajax, but his output is rising," questions whether Gloukh deserves more appreciation.
Ajax Showtime highlighted Gloukh's recent performance before the international break, noting his involvement in five goals over two matches. In a 6-1 victory against FC Midtjylland, he scored once and provided two assists, followed by two assists in a 2-2 draw with Twente. "Five days, two games, and five direct goal involvements. Gloukh certainly made his presence felt in the week before the international break," the article stated.
Looking at the broader picture, Gloukh's numbers show significant contributions. In 12 Eredivisie appearances, he has one goal and six assists, more than any other Ajax player. Across all competitions, he has six goals and eight assists in 20 games. The website noted that these figures are substantial, especially for a team still seeking offensive consistency. Gloukh also faces competition for his position, sometimes playing on the left wing due to Julian Brandt's presence.
Even in his first season, often coming off the bench, Gloukh delivered solid numbers with six goals and six assists in 29 league games, 16 of which were starts. This demonstrates his ability to contribute even without being a guaranteed starter. However, Ajax Showtime acknowledged that criticism isn't entirely baseless, citing games where Gloukh struggles to influence the match, loses possession, and hesitates. Former Ajax midfielder Kenneth Perez has been a vocal critic, describing Gloukh's shots as "childish."
Conversely, coach Michel Sanchez has expressed confidence in Gloukh, praising his desire for the ball and work ethic. The article concludes that while Gloukh is not a perfect player and has areas for improvement, judging him solely on his weaker moments is unfair. With 12 goal involvements in his debut league season and 14 across all competitions this season, Gloukh has proven his value to Ajax.
Mentioned
