These are the final days before the champagne is popped again and new goals and plans are spoken out loud. On both a sporting and personal level, there is plenty to wish for, including for Ajax players. But a brief look back shows that both players reflect on a fine development. Bentaleb joined from Sparta in the summer of 2024 and, a year and a half later, wears the captain's armband for Stan Bijl's U17s.
The year 2025
"Ajax is a big club and I'm proud to play here. It's a huge mark of appreciation that I was chosen as captain in my second season. It's an honour and I want to fulfil that role as well as possible and be an extension of the coach. I try to help my teammates and get the maximum out of everything in all circumstances. The captain's role suits me, I think," begins the sixteen-year-old Bentaleb.
Calmness radiates from the Ajax U17 defender. "The season started awkwardly with a few negative results, although the statistics showed that in nine out of ten matches we were the dominant side. We addressed that, and over the past two months we've had a good period together. And I'm also fairly satisfied with myself. When I came over from Sparta, it did take some adjusting, I have to say, because Ajax is different. More is demanded of you. I felt at home quickly, played my way into the starting line-up and haven't dropped out since. Then the armband is a nice consequence."
Next to Bentaleb sits Nash, the seventeen-year-old captain of Ajax U19. "Whether it was a good year?" he says with a slight smile. "Yes, it was a good year," he laughs. "At the start of this year I'd already mapped out a few things and hung them on the wall in my room. I think I'm well on my way. What exactly is hanging there? I'll keep that to myself," he smiles.
Nash' highlights
The confident Ajax forward indeed experienced a strong year. He signed his first professional contract in February, shortly afterwards won the Olympia Future Cup with the U17s and was named best player, made his debut in professional football for Jong Ajax in October and made his official debut for Ajax 1 on 2 December during the home match against FC Groningen.
"If I achieve all my goals, you'll see it. But one of those goals was signing my contract at Ajax and making my debut before my eighteenth birthday. That worked out and I'm very happy and proud of that. All in all, it’s been a successful year," Nash says calmly.
"But at times it did require switching gears," he continues. "Recently I've been involved with different teams and my role was different everywhere. That did take some adjustment, because I don't think I'm quite the Pharell of last season yet, who scored a lot of goals. I'm providing assists more often now, but I think I can still deliver more."
Role as captain
As captains of their teams, both want to take responsibility. "On the pitch, but also off it," says Bentaleb. "I'm someone who likes a positive atmosphere and that's how you see me on the pitch as well. Directing players, coaching positively and being an extension of the coach on the field. Being negative doesn't help and only makes everyone play worse. I am critical and I do say so, but I always want to stay positive. Ultimately, that has the best influence."
"I agree with that," Nash chimes in. "The most important thing is that, as captain, you first deliver yourself so the team follows you in that. I think that's a condition. You see that at Ajax 1 as well. Players like Davy Klaassen and Remko Pasveer always work hard: early at the club, fully committed in the gym and consciously working on development points. In addition, with the first team I learn a lot from the older players when it comes to coaching. You have to earn the right for people to listen to you, but that starts with yourself. I see that with the first team too, and that’s something I want to take with me into the U19s."
Nash takes his role seriously and demands the same of himself. "I try to help players on the training pitch or speak to lads in the team when things aren't going well. Because if it's not good, it's not good. As captain, you have to pull your team along, and personally I want to do everything perfectly. That’s not always a good thing, but for me it's a stimulus. I'm a captain who looks for connections. People often think only about what happens on the pitch, but off it matters too. Someone can feel bad and still perform well, or the other way around. I want to help with that. They should see me as a player who carries them in good and bad times and someone they can always turn to."
Taking the lead and setting an example
Bentaleb listens attentively and nods as Nash speaks. "You have to deliver at maximum level yourself and then the rest of the team will follow naturally," he says. "In difficult moments you have to step up as a leader. I want to set high goals and it starts with intensity. In that, I always try to take the lead: in matches, at the club, with nutrition, in the gym and with analysing footage."
"I can learn a lot from Pharell, especially from how he performed over the past year," Bentaleb continues. "We're going to play the Olympia Future Cup and when I saw how he did that during the last edition, I take that with me. For a while now I've been trying, just like Pharell with the U19s, to be the first at the club. And I want to bring other teammates along in that. And honestly, it does work. These days it's busier in the gym in the mornings and that’s a good development," he smiles.
Nash looks at Bentaleb, pauses briefly and then turns back to the table. "It starts in here, in the gym, I really believe that. I think we should be training towards Premier League level. In all areas: nutrition, recovery, schedules. At the start of this season only a few could be seen in the gym and now there are many from the U19s and U17s. That progress is a small step towards becoming champions as a team. That’s one of our goals and if you want that, you have to say it out loud."
2026
Setting or voicing goals naturally comes with the new year. Bentaleb starts. "Above all, I have to start with the basics and perform myself. And if you perform well, good things can come, just look at Pharell. Over the past few weeks I've seen players make their debuts for Ajax 1 whom I see working hard at the club every day. That's wonderful and that's what you dream of. Playing for Ajax at all is an honour, and maybe one day playing in the first team is the dream."
When is 2026 a success for the pair? "I want to keep delivering and from there progress to the U19s. But for now I'm having a short break. It's been intense and busy weeks with many matches and long days at the club. It's important to recover, freshen up and be ready for 2026," says Bentaleb.
Nash concludes. "The focus is on the UEFA Youth League and on the second half of the season, in which we want to have a strong half-year with the O19s. I want to keep delivering in the U19s, stay fit and be ready for the next steps that will come. And ultimately I want to move permanently to Jong Ajax in 2026; I've said that as well. But I have to show it myself and keep showing it. And what I would love is to get a taste of more minutes with Ajax 1," Nash states.
