Ronald de Boer Questions Whether Viktor Tsygankov Can Add Pace to Ajax’s Attack
Ajax’s attacking speed has become a talking point ahead of the club’s Conference League meeting with Atalanta, with former Netherlands international Ronald de Boer questioning whether Viktor Tsygankov can provide the burst of acceleration the team appears to lack. The Ukrainian winger began Thursday’s match on the bench, but his potential role in Ajax’s forward line was already under scrutiny before kick-off.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport, De Boer said he had expected more explosive pace from Tsygankov. While he acknowledged the winger’s technical ability and dangerous left foot, he has yet to see enough evidence that the newcomer can regularly beat opponents with speed or threaten the space behind a defence.
The discussion raises a broader question for Ajax: how can Míchel Sánchez’s side turn possession and promising passages of football into a more direct attacking threat? Against a stronger opponent such as Atalanta, the ability to accelerate into open space could prove especially valuable.
Ajax’s Lack of Speed in the Final Third
De Boer used Paris Saint-Germain’s recent match against Barcelona as an example of the kind of pace he believes Ajax are missing. In his view, high-level teams need players capable of changing the tempo in an instant—whether by sprinting past a defender, making a sharp run in behind, or forcing the opposition to retreat.
He argued that Ajax do not currently have enough players who can consistently make that difference. De Boer pointed to Marcos Leonardo and Oscar Gloukh as players who are not primarily known for their speed, while noting that Julian Brandt or Davy Klaassen may also feature in wide areas. If the forwards cannot stretch the defence, Ajax can become dependent on full-backs pushing forward to provide width and attacking momentum.
That approach can help create overloads, but it also carries risks. When full-backs advance, space may open behind them, and the team can become vulnerable if possession is lost. More importantly, relying on overlapping runs does not always provide the sudden acceleration needed to exploit a turnover before the opposition can recover its defensive shape.
Why Pace Matters After Winning the Ball
De Boer’s concern is not simply that Ajax need more speed for its own sake. He focused on what happens when the team wins possession in a promising area. Opponents sometimes give the ball away carelessly, creating a brief opportunity to attack before their defenders are organised. Ajax need runners who can recognise that moment and quickly turn it into a chance.
“Getting in behind” is central to that idea. A forward who threatens space beyond the defensive line can force centre-backs to drop deeper, creating room for teammates to receive the ball between the lines. Even when the pass is not played, the run can disrupt the opponent’s shape and open different routes toward goal.
Without that threat, Ajax may find it harder to punish mistakes. Their possession can still be controlled and attractive, but opponents may feel more comfortable holding a higher defensive line if they are not worried about being beaten for pace. That could make it more difficult for Ajax’s creative players to find room in crowded areas.
Tsygankov’s Quality Is Clear, but His Impact Remains Uncertain
De Boer did not dismiss Tsygankov’s ability. He recognised the Ukrainian’s strong left foot and technical quality, qualities that can help him deliver crosses, combine in tight spaces and create shooting opportunities. His reservations concern whether the winger can add the direct running Ajax may need against physically imposing or tactically disciplined opponents.
That distinction is important. A player can be highly skilled without being an explosive sprinter, and pace is only one part of a winger’s overall contribution. Tsygankov may still influence matches through movement, passing, dribbling and decision-making. However, De Boer’s comments suggest Ajax may have hoped he would offer a more obvious outlet in transition.
Wim Kieft also expressed doubts about the winger’s current performances, while stressing that he has seen Tsygankov produce impressive football in the past. Kieft suggested the player may not have arrived in Amsterdam in ideal physical condition, which could help explain why he has not yet shown the level of sharpness supporters expected.
Fitness and match rhythm can have a significant effect on a wide forward’s performance. A player who is short of conditioning may hesitate before making repeated high-speed runs, while a lack of sharpness can affect timing and confidence in one-on-one situations. If that is part of Tsygankov’s difficulty, regular training and minutes could change the assessment over time.
Adingra’s Absence and Berghuis’ Possible Return
Ajax’s options have also been affected by the absence of injured winger Simon Adingra. De Boer suggested that Ajax had hoped Adingra would bring the kind of speed that could stretch opponents, but his absence leaves the team with fewer obvious choices for adding directness in wide positions.
The potential return of Steven Berghuis could create another selection question for Sánchez. Kieft described a fit Berghuis as enormously valuable to Ajax, reflecting the forward’s experience, creativity and ability to influence the attack. His availability could give the coach a different profile on the right, though it would not necessarily resolve the team’s need for a player who consistently threatens defenders with raw pace.
That leaves Sánchez with a tactical balancing act. He must choose between technical control, creative combinations and the ability to attack space at speed. The best solution may depend on the opponent: against a team that presses high, a quick forward could be especially useful, while a more technical player may be better suited to breaking down a compact defence.
Atalanta Present a More Demanding Test
De Boer did acknowledge that Ajax have shown they can play well enough to compensate for a shortage of speed. He pointed to their performance against Groningen, where strong overall play helped the team manage the match. Good positioning, quick passing and coordinated movement can reduce the need for individual players to win footraces.
But he warned that Atalanta represent a different level of challenge. The Italian side are known for their intensity and ability to make matches physically demanding, meaning Ajax may have less time and space to build attacks. A mistake in possession could become an opportunity for either team, making the ability to react quickly and exploit transitions particularly important.
For Ajax supporters, the key question is not simply whether Tsygankov is fast. It is whether he can become an effective part of an attack that needs more variety. His left-footed quality may offer one solution, while Adingra’s eventual return, Berghuis’ fitness and Sánchez’s tactical choices could provide others.
As the Conference League campaign continues, Ajax’s performances against stronger opposition will offer a clearer indication of whether their current attacking structure is enough. De Boer’s prediction is that good football can cover some weaknesses—but against a side of Atalanta’s calibre, the lack of a reliable threat in behind may become much harder to hide.
