Ajax bets on controversial midfielder Bissouma after deadline

On a cloudy evening at the Johan Cruijff Arena Ajax officially announced the arrival of the Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma, a one‑year contract with an option, just days after the transfer deadline. The club hopes that the experienced but controversial player will fill the missing profile in midfield.

Postecoglou's confidence

A month before the 2025 Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou called Bissouma back again. ‘Biss, we are going to need you in a crucial phase,’ said the manager, without knowing when that phase would arrive. He relied on the best version of the Malian player to achieve something special.

A day later Bissouma made a decisive contribution when Spurs beat Manchester United and captured the Europa League. With power, stamina and technique he dominated the midfield and created chances. According to Postecoglou this was exactly the Bissouma that Ajax now wants to sign.

Míchel Sánchez sees perfect profile

After Sofyan Amrabat's basic debut, Míchel Sánchez said that Amrabat too often played the first pass sideways, whereas he would rather beat a man to create space behind the line. He saw in Bissouma a faster, more vertical alternative with the technique, explosiveness and stamina to dribble through the lines. ‘A very versatile player,’ Sánchez declared on Tuesday evening, ‘he can operate both in position 6 and 8.’

Sánchez also said that he was not satisfied with the current gegenpressing, but that Bissouma can compensate for that shortcoming. ‘He possesses a lot of aggression and can cover large areas,’ said the Spanish coach, who compares Bissouma to Jorthy Mokio. After the match against Willem II Sánchez emphasized that Bissouma's profile can make Ajax's midfield go in every direction.

Disciplinary shadows

Bissouma has built a fluctuating professional image over the past years. In 304 professional duels he collected 74 yellow cards and three reds, averaging one card every four duels, and he holds the fastest yellow card in the Premier League (14 seconds). These statistics underline the risks that Ajax accepts.

Off the field he came under fire due to a video in which he used laughing gas, which led to a disciplinary suspension. He was also arrested in a Brighton nightclub on suspicion of assault, and at Tottenham he often arrived late for training. The photo of Bissouma in the stands was provided by Pro Shots.

This is the latest official confirmation of the transfer, published the morning after the deadline. ‘With him we have brought in an experienced player who knows what it is like at the highest level,’ declared Jordi Cruijff in the press release. For Ajax this is a strategic move to strengthen the midfield, despite the controversies surrounding the Malian international.