Ajax must rebuild after Jaros suffers season-ending knee injury

2026-02-20 sport

Amsterdam, vrijdag, 20 februari 2026.
Ajax faces a major setback after goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros sustained a severe knee injury during Friday’s training session. The 24-year-old Czech stopper, on loan from Liverpool, requires surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. His absence forces immediate action from coach Fred Grim ahead of Saturday’s crucial match against NEC. Maarten Paes, the 27-year-old Indonesian international signed in January, is now expected to start. This marks his debut for Ajax—and comes against his former club NEC. The timing worsens as Ajax battles for second place in the Eredivisie and a direct route to next season’s Champions League. With only 42 points and narrow margins, every game counts. Jaros’ exit adds pressure to an already strained squad, following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s similar injury earlier this week. The team must adapt quickly.

season-ending blow for jaros

Ajax goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros faces a premature end to his season due to a serious knee injury sustained during training on February 20, 2026 [1]. The 24-year-old Czech player, on loan from Liverpool, underwent medical evaluation confirming the need for surgery [2]. As a result, he will not return to play for Ajax before the summer [3]. This loss strikes at a critical juncture, removing the starting goalkeeper just days before a pivotal league fixture [4]. His absence creates immediate pressure on the club’s defensive planning [5].

paes steps into spotlight

With Jaros sidelined, Maarten Paes is poised to make his competitive debut for Ajax in the upcoming match against NEC [6]. The 27-year-old Indonesian international joined the club in January as a replacement for Remko Pasveer [7]. Although he sat on the bench for the first time on February 13, this will mark his official first appearance [8]. Notably, the opponent is Paes’ former youth club, adding emotional weight to the occasion [9]. His last competitive outing dates back to October 2025, playing for Indonesia’s national team [10].

defensive instability compounds

Jaros’ injury follows closely on the heels of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s own season-ending knee damage suffered against Fortuna Sittard [11]. Both players require surgical intervention for their knee injuries [12]. The simultaneous loss undermines team stability under head coach Fred Grim [13]. While Zinchenko transferred from Arsenal mid-season, Jaros had reestablished himself as first-choice keeper after a brief sidelining in autumn 2025 [14]. Now, Ajax must rely on less battle-tested personnel amid tightening competition for European qualification spots [15].

high stakes in ajax-nec clash

The match between Ajax and NEC takes place on February 21, 2026, at 21:00 CET in the Johan Cruijff ArenA [16]. Both teams sit level on 42 points in the Eredivisie standings, though NEC holds a superior goal difference of +19 compared to Ajax’s +16 [17]. Securing second place offers direct entry into next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage [18]. Any slip-up risks ceding ground to rivals such as Feyenoord, who currently occupy that position with three more points [19]. The outcome could significantly influence the domestic title race and continental prospects [20].

uncertainty surrounds klaassen

Captain Davy Klaassen’s availability for the NEC match remains uncertain due to fitness concerns [21]. Coach Fred Grim confirmed pre-match that both Klaassen and defender Ko Itakura would miss the fixture [22]. Itakura withdrew because of a back injury, further weakening Ajax’s defensive options [23]. The captaincy void increases stress on team cohesion at a fragile moment [24]. Youth goalkeeper Joeri Heerkens may serve as backup to Paes, awaiting what would be his Eredivisie debut [25]. Team selection reflects growing reliance on unproven alternatives [26].

Bronnen

Ajax knieblessure