Ajax’s Ter Stegen gamble: injury record sparks Dutch backlash

Marc-André ter Stegen is on the verge of completing a loan move to Ajax from Barcelona, with the German goalkeeper set to arrive in Amsterdam within days. The deal, agreed in principle, remains contingent on a medical examination in the Dutch capital, where ter Stegen will aim to prove his fitness as Ajax’s new starting goalkeeper. The transfer has drawn sharp criticism in the Netherlands, with public figures questioning whether the Barcelona captain can solve Ajax’s goalkeeping issues after a troubled season.

Ajax’s decision to sign ter Stegen on loan—albeit at minimal cost—has triggered a wave of scepticism. Dutch media outlets have highlighted concerns over his injury record, which has dogged his career in recent years. Critics argue that ter Stegen’s persistent fitness problems may outweigh his undoubted quality between the posts.

Journalist Valentijn Driessen, writing for , questioned the wisdom of the move. “Now they bring in a goalkeeper who used to be good in the past, but they are not going to get anything out of this,” he said. Fellow pundit Johan Derksen went further, citing ter Stegen’s lack of recent game time as a major concern. “He has defended a goal on three occasions in 22 months, he is always injured,” Derksen noted. “At Ajax, they act as if they had won the lottery and with that background, I would doubt it a lot.”

Despite the criticism, the move has the full backing of Ajax’s sporting director Jordi Cruyff and new head coach Michel. The latter worked with ter Stegen during his loan spell at Girona, where the goalkeeper impressed when fit. Michel remains convinced that ter Stegen can be a key figure for his project, provided he avoids further injuries. Ajax will also retain a permanent option, exercisable if his performances justify it.

The financial arrangement offers limited relief for Barcelona. The Catalan club will continue to cover the majority of ter Stegen’s wages, with Ajax contributing only a portion tied to his actual appearances. This structure means Barcelona’s savings depend entirely on ter Stegen staying fit and featuring regularly. Should he suffer another setback, the club could end up shouldering almost his entire salary for a player no longer in Catalonia.