With all the rumors flying around about Rafael leaving Ajax after this season (and I'm sure it's true), I guess we need a thread to discuss and post links. Like this one from Sky Sports.

I say he will play another season for us and then leave to Spain, probably Barcellona.

I think he leaves after this year; despite the fact that he hasn't enjoyed a good season to date...except internationally.

my guess is also that he leaves after this season - I actually think he may benefit from it as I think he's a bit frustrated as it is right now in Ajax. Good for him bad for us.....except the cash.

Right now he is quite simply not one of our 'big' players. He is absolutely not a leading figure in the team - and to be honest we do not miss him at all at the moment. He can be a leader, obviously, but so far this season he is his own worst enemy. I hope he'll take a wise decision and stay for another year. But I think he won't. That's why this season has been so reassuring, so far: we can see every week that we do not depend on him. He's just one iof the players. A very good one, normally, but yet: just one of the guys. Pienaar can replace him. Sneijder can. No reason to panic if he goes. Right now I'd rather keep Zlatan or Trabelsi than Van der Vaart, quite frankly.

and if he leaves after this season...then where? Barca? they do have too many offensive midfielders already, maybe he could replace Kluivert as a striker (?) if Kluivert leaves Barca next year also. I think Real would not even look at Raffy with Figo, Zidane, Guti and Beckham already running their engines. Valencia have Aimar already and I think there's no club in spain could afford Raffy's price tag. England...ManU? dont they jaz replaced Beckham with 3 new midfielders?! maybe they will let all of them disappear and give Raffy a place because they do really need a scoring midfielder and the same goes with Arsenal and Liverpool but it seems Arsenal dont have the money right now as they continue to build a new stadium. Italy...Milan? they already have Kaka to run things alongside Rui Costa and Pirlo. Juve? maybe. Raffy might even go to Inter and link up with van der Meyde ( if he is still there) or with Chivu in Roma! one thing for sure...if Ajax can keep Zlatan, Hatem, Raffy, and Steven next year, they will win the CL

I for one could see him in Liverpool, they desperatly need a guy like Raffy.

It's not gonna happen. He's got his mind set on Spain. He has a Spanish mom and his grandparents live in Spain. He's always dreamed of making it in Spain, so that's where he'll search for a new club. Playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid (no preference, I once heard him say on TV) is his ultimate dream in life. English clubs can forget it. Seriously.

I totally disagree with you. Raphael's form is not excellent right now but he remains our star player. Pienaar, Snejder and De Jong will become great players but they will not become VD Vaart, even in 1,000 years. If he leaves Ajax, it will be a signal to other 'hot properties' to move along as well. For once, Ajax must do everything possible to keep VD Vaart and the other star players for another year. It is too early to dismantle this team. Everyone at Ajax knows that this team is capable of winning the Champions League next year or the following year and they will do everyting to keep the team together.

I have to disagree with you there Manila. Personally I reckon Sneijder is easily as good as van der Vaart, if not better. He may not have the raw skills and flashiness of van der Vaart but he's smarter and plays more for the team. Remember he's a couple of years younger as well so he's "behind" in his development, if you see what I mean.

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Originally Posted by AFCA 1900
Playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid (no preference, I once heard him say on TV) is his ultimate dream in life.

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I saw his goal last weekend. Is that a fluke or pure class

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Originally Posted by RyanH
I saw his goal last weekend. Is that a fluke or pure class

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I think it was pure class, actually. I mean: it was obvious that VDV actually had the intention of scoring this way. He will be the first to admit that the chance of hitting it exactly right is extremely small, but to a lesser extent that also goes for your average long range shot. This was an instinctive, brilliant attempt to touch a cross that was coming behind him.

That, to me, is the key characteristic of a truly, truly superb goal: you know you will never hit it like that again, no matter how often you try, but it actually was the intention. Maybe it's the idea behind it that makes it so great. Most players wouldn't even made the instinctive, split-second decision to try it this way.

Examples: Van Basten's bicycle kick against FC Den Bosch (1986) and his amazing volley against the USSR for Holland (1988).

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Originally Posted by AFCA 1900
I think it was pure class, actually. I mean: it was obvious that VDV actually had the intention of scoring this way. He will be the first to admit that the chance of hitting it exactly right is extremely small, but to a lesser extent that also goes for your average long range shot. This was an instinctive, brilliant attempt to touch a cross that was coming behind him.

That, to me, is the key characteristic of a truly, truly superb goal: you know you will never hit it like that again, no matter how often you try, but it actually was the intention. Maybe it's the idea behind it that makes it so great. Most players wouldn't even made the instinctive, split-second decision to try it this way.

Examples: Van Basten's bicycle kick against FC Den Bosch (1986) and his amazing volley against the USSR for Holland (1988).

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