From Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Luis Suarez - The Ajax That Could Have Been Had They Been Able To Hold On To Their Stars

Ajax are hardly renowned for their ability to produce top-class defenders, yet they could form a rather impressive back-line with players who once plied their trade at the Godenzonen. Netherlands international Heitinga made well over 150 official appearances for the club before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2008, while left-back Maxwell earned himself a transfer to Inter with his superb performances between 2001 and 2006. Centre-back pairing Chivu and Vermaelen featured in more than 100 games each for Ajax during their years in Amsterdam. The Romanian might have struggled to find his best form in recent years, but was one of the best defenders around in Europe when at his peak, while Vermaelen is highly rated for a good reason at Arsenal. Other defenders who impressed at Ajax before moving abroad include Zdenek Grygera (Juventus) and Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen).

De Jong enjoyed some mixed fortunes in Amsterdam before leaving the club for Hamburg in 2006, as he had yet to find his ideal position. The combative midfielder was used in several defensive positions before finding his feet as holding midfielder. He has since developed into one of the best in the world in his position and is now a key player at Manchester City. Although it's already been over 15 years since Seedorf plied his trade in Amsterdam, the experienced midfielder enjoyed some of his biggest successes at Ajax. Nowadays an attacking midfielder, the 35-year-old occasionally impressed as a Frank Rijkaard-esque centre-back as well as featuring as holding midfielder in his younger years. Players who missed out on a spot as holding midfielder include full internationals such as Hedwiges Maduro and Demy de Zeeuw.

Ajax have had no shortage of creativity in the attacking department in recent years and some of the biggest names in the game have graced the pitch in Amsterdam for more than one season. Only one year ago, Uruguay international Suarez was still plying his trade in the Eredivisie, but the versatile attacker has had no trouble adapting to Premier League football. Another 2010 World Cup star is Inter playmaker Sneijder, who was one of the most sought after players around in the summer transfer window. The Dutchman netted 43 goals in 126 league appearances for Ajax before moving to Real Madrid and is now the undisputed star at Italian giants Inter. Finally, Tottenham star Van der Vaart makes the three-man line behind the single striker in our 4-2-3-1 formation. The attacking midfielder won the Golden Boy award in 2003 and has since starred at clubs like Hamburg, Real Madrid and Spurs. Hoffenheim winger Ryan Babel, AC Milan's Urby Emanuelson and Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar all missed out on a spot in this XI.

Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly one of the best strikers around in the football world after successful spells at big clubs such as Juventus, Inter, Barcelona and AC Milan. However, it was at Ajax that the Sweden international rose to prominence. The powerful attacker netted 35 Eredivisie goals in 74 appearances before leaving the Amsterdam ArenA for Juventus in the summer of 2004. The presence of Ibrahimovic means that Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, one of the most prolific strikers around in Europe at the moment, has to settle for a honourable mention.