Ajax’s Gerónimo Spina signing draws fierce criticism over Jong team policy
The Deadline Day arrival from Atlético Madrid has reopened debate about Ajax’s use of foreign recruits and first-team players in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.
Ajax have faced sharp criticism after signing 21-year-old defender Gerónimo Spina from Atlético Madrid for Jong Ajax on Deadline Day. The Argentine has joined the Amsterdam club immediately, prompting questions over whether he is being developed for the senior side or recruited primarily to strengthen the reserve team in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.
Mart ten Have, speaking during a transfer show produced by FC Afkicken and Algemeen Dagblad, argued that the move disadvantages other clubs in the division. As reported by FCUpdate, he described Ajax’s approach as “a form of arrogance” and said it showed insufficient regard for teams competing against Jong Ajax.
His criticism centred on the uneven line-ups opponents can encounter. Jong sides are permitted to use eligible senior-squad players on Mondays when those players received few or no minutes during the preceding weekend. That option is not available for Friday-night fixtures, meaning promotion contenders can face significantly different versions of the same reserve team depending on the schedule.
Ten Have used RKC Waalwijk as an example, saying a promotion-chasing side could meet an Argentine right-back on a Monday but a much younger Ajax line-up on a Friday. He also named Willem II and TOP Oss while arguing that Ajax still relies on the wider Dutch football system. Spina is not the first foreign player added to Jong Ajax during the summer, intensifying the debate over a team whose developmental role is intended to provide young Dutch talent with senior-level experience.
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