Ajax's rich history has become a millstone around their necks
Their name dares you to dream, their majestic stadium invites you to be inspired.
Ajax of Amsterdam, with those iconic white-and-red shirts, a renowned philosophy and a back catalogue of legends, is a club for which any footballer should want to play.
Jordan Henderson knows his sport inside out. When Liverpool faced Ajax in the Champions League in October 2022, he was taken aback by the ear-splitting support, the flag waving ceremony and the dazzling light show the fanatical local fans produced before kick-off.
Thing is, Liverpool – who were in the middle of a desperate run of form – won that game eventually in a canter.
History and reputation was no help to Ajax that night and, in the 16 months since, all that went before in the glory years has been a millstone around their necks.
Henderson has joined Ajax, having terminated his contract with Al-Ettifaq, but the difference between past and present is stark.
The club for whom he has signed until June 2026 are in turmoil and switching from Saudi Arabia to The Netherlands provides no guarantee of success.
A reminder of how bad this season has been: in September, a game against their hated rivals Feyenoord was abandoned after Ajax fans stormed the Cruyff Arena in protest at how badly the club had been run, throwing flares and kicking doors.
Four days after that, Sven Mislintat – once of Arsenal – was removed as Director of Football with questions over a number of signings.
They following month, as they slithered into the relegation zone, coach Maurice Steijn was sacked. He'd only been in charge for four months.
The situation was awful but worse would come. USV Hercules, an amateur club with students in their team, knocked Ajax out of the Dutch Cup.
It was one of the most incredible
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