Julian Brandt Impresses in Ajax Debut, Casting Doubt on Oscar Gloukh's Role

Ajax officially kicked off its Eredivisie season with a 2-0 away victory over Zwolle on August 10, 2026. Despite the win, the Amsterdam-based club struggled to dominate, especially after being reduced to 10 players. Dutch media highlighted a significant gap between Ajax's championship ambitions and their current performance level, noting the team is far from the quality needed to compete seriously in the league.

Oscar Gloukh started the match and played 60 minutes but delivered a lackluster performance. He was substituted by Julian Brandt, the new German signing from Borussia Dortmund, who scored the second goal after a well-executed combination with teammate Mika Hudets. The Dutch outlet AD praised Brandt's sophisticated playmaking and impact, suggesting that Gloukh now faces pressure from Brandt's impressive form.

The coverage implies that Brandt's arrival could challenge Gloukh's position in the squad, as Brandt demonstrated his value immediately by contributing decisively to the team's victory. Ajax's overall performance, however, still leaves questions about their readiness to contend for the league title this season.