One Ajax star will have bad memories from playing against upcoming opponents Chelsea.
Ajax travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to face Chelsea in the Champions League, with John Heitinga’s men in desperate need of a win.
They have lost their first two games of the league phase, being thrashed 4-0 at the hands of Marseille last time out.
Since Jorrel Hato’s departure, Ajax’s win rate has fallen. They now face the prospect of going up against their former defender later this week.
Burnley striker Wout Weghorst and Chelsea defender Reece James battling for the ball
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Wout Weghorst lost to Chelsea while at Burnley
If Hato starts at centre-back, a position the 19-year-old is capable of playing in, he could find himself in a battle with Wout Weghorst.
Weghorst is Ajax’s first-choice striker, so you would expect him to start at the Bridge. The last time he played against Chelsea, things did not end well for the Dutchman.
Back in the 2021/22 season, Weghorst was part of a Burnley team that lost 4-0 to Chelsea at Turf Moor.
The Blues’ side is a lot different now compared to back then. Reece James, who scored that day, and Trevoh Chalobah are the last two survivors from that matchday squad.
Weghorst later went on to sign for Manchester United on loan, and the Red Devils did manage to beat Chelsea while the centre-forward was at the club. However, he never featured in United’s victory over their Premier League rivals.
While Weghorst is likely to lead the line for Ajax on Wednesday, Marc Guiu could spearhead the Blues’ attack with Joao Pedro suspended. Chelsea fans were impressed with Guiu’s performance in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Ajax players celebrating goal
Photo by Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Why Wout Weghorst will be Ajax’s danger man on Wednesday
Ajax are not at their best right now, but they are still a team with some talented individuals.
Weghorst is a player Chelsea will have to be mindful of specifically, though. The Netherlands international is a big striker and Ajax’s top scorer this season with five goals.
Neutralise him, and Enzo Maresca‘s side should win this match pretty comfortably, even with all of their injury problems.