Ajax Showtime Defends Oscar Gloukh Amid Criticism Over Form
Dutch fan site Ajax Showtime defends midfielder Oscar Gloukh, highlighting his impressive output of 14 direct goal involvements this season despite facing criticism from pundits and fans.
Ahead of Israel's upcoming match against Kosovo, Dutch media outlets are coming to the defense of Ajax midfielder Oscar Gloukh, who has increasingly become a target of criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Writing on the fan site Ajax Showtime, analysts addressed the mounting pressure on the 22-year-old Israeli playmaker in an article titled, "Gloukh is consistently the scapegoat at Ajax, but his output is rising," questioning whether he deserves greater appreciation.
"Criticism of the Israeli's play is often heard from a section of fans, as well as pundits and opinion leaders. Yet, his recent performances paint a different picture," the article notes. "Within five days, he was involved in one goal and four assists. His productivity is climbing, raising the question of whether Gloukh no longer deserves a bit more credit."
The author highlighted Gloukh's stellar run just before the international break. In a 6-1 thrashing of Danish side Midtjylland, the midfielder scored once and added two assists, followed by two more assists in a 2-2 draw against Twente.
Stellar Numbers Amid Criticism
Looking at the broader picture, Gloukh's statistics underscore his immense value. After 12 Eredivisie matches, he has recorded one goal and six assists—more than any other player in the Ajax squad. Across all competitions, he boasts six goals and eight assists in 20 appearances.
Despite these impressive figures, Gloukh does not have a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup. Much like Abdullah Ozan, he has often been shifted to the left flank due to the presence of Julian Brandt.
Former Ajax midfielder Kenneth Perez remains a prominent critic, previously remarking, "When Ozan gets the ball, those are the only moments you think something is about to happen. With Gloukh, everything is nice to watch, all that pressing, but nothing comes of it. His shots are like children's shots."
Managerial Support and Balanced View
On the other hand, manager Michel Sánchez has consistently expressed confidence in the player. Following a 2-0 win over Atalanta, the Spanish coach stated, "He is a player who gives us continuity and always wants the ball. I am satisfied with his work."
Ajax Showtime concluded with a balanced assessment: "Gloukh is far from being a flawless Ajax player, and there are certainly aspects of his game to critique. However, judging him solely by his quiet moments does an injustice to his contribution. With 12 goal involvements in his debut Eredivisie season and 14 direct involvements across all competitions this year, the Israeli has proven he brings immense value to Ajax."
