After Sebastien Haller's departure, Ajax searched for a new number nine. Brian Brobbey was repurchased from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for a significant sum of money, Dusan Tadic was another excellent choice for the role.
In spite of this, Alfred Schreuder produced another center striker in each of the previous two matches. At Ajax, Mohammed Kudus, who sought a move to the Premier League this summer, is presently the top choice.
Alfred Schreuder started experimenting with playing the Black Stars midfielder as a false nine in preseason. Mohammed Kudus scored in all the three games Ajax played.
After the preseason game against RB Salzburg, Alfred Schreuder praised Kudus who played as a false nine. "I did say to him: don't start thinking: oh dear, the trainer no longer sees me as a midfielder. It is not like that. But I am charmed by him in the front," he said.
Schreuder again saw his experiment against Rangers FC succeed. Kudus scored a wonderful goal after making just substitute appearances in the league.
According to Opta, he made history against Rangers FC by being the first player since Serge Gnabry in 2020 to score a goal, give an assist, and find a teammate with all of his passes in a Champions League match.
With the exception of the aerial battles, Kudus beats Brobbey in every category. Kudus is a roaming number nine, in contrast to Brobbey who is a finisher par excellence who spends most of his time in the opponent's penalty area.