Rafael van der Vaart Criticizes Ajax Defender Jorthy Mokio After Conference League Win

Rafael van der Vaart voiced strong criticism towards young Ajax defender Jorthy Mokio following their 5-3 victory over Sion in the UEFA Conference League. The former Dutch international warned that Mokio shows an overconfidence not matched by his current abilities and stressed that senior football demands much more professionalism.

A Chaotic Victory That Raised Concerns

Ajax managed to secure a thrilling 5-3 win against Sion, but the defensive performance was far from convincing. Despite scoring many goals, the team's defensive weaknesses quickly caught attention back in the Netherlands. Van der Vaart singled out Mokio for his lack of pragmatic play and questioned his maturity on the field.

Van der Vaart's Harsh Take on Mokio

"I'm afraid he thinks he's much better than he really is. Or at least better than he is right now," Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport. "It looks like he just wants to play football, but this is not youth football anymore. You have to be very professional."

Tactical Problems Beyond Individual Mistakes

The former midfielder also highlighted a bigger issue affecting Ajax whenever they lose possession. He explained that their wide formation leaves them vulnerable to counter-attacks, causing confusion and danger in their own penalty area.

• Van der Vaart on Ajax's shape: "They tend to play too wide. Today it was clear: after losing the ball, they immediately become dangerous. Players enter the box with their backs to goal. This definitely needs to be fixed."

Urgent Defensive Fixes Ahead

While Ajax will celebrate their progression in Europe, Van der Vaart's comments underline important problems that manager Michel must tackle quickly. Improving defensive transitions and tightening the team's structural width are necessary before facing tougher competition. For young players like Mokio, this feedback is a tough but crucial lesson about the demands of top-level senior football.

• Match Details: Ajax 5 - 3 Sion, UEFA Conference League
• Date: 28 August 2026