Carlos Forbs of Ajax is still having trouble for the Dutch powerhouses, so Burnley might be relieved that they were unable to complete a move for him in January.
If analyst Kees Kwakman’s recent criticism of the winger following Ajax’s tie with Bodø/Glimt is any indication, then at least.
After failing to make the cut at the Etihad, Forbs left Manchester City to join Ajax in the summer of last year in an attempt to restart his career.
The expectation was that he would become well-established in the Netherlands, as many young players have done, but the 19-year-old has only scored two goals and four assists in 28 appearances this season.
It meant that while Burnley was interested in him and he was linked to a transfer away in January, a deal could not be completed because Ajax need a commitment to purchase in the summer.
He does, in fact, seem to be falling out of the team more and more, as seen by the Europa Conference League matchup with Bodø/Glimt. John van ‘t Schip opted to start Kristian Hlynsson, a center midfielder, on the left flank, leaving him on the bench.
Forbs, who was once again “passed over” by the coach and may have regretted his inability to arrange a move away in January, found it to be a “loud laugh.”
Burnley was among the teams vying for his signing that month, but Kwakman says they may be relieved that they were unable to close a deal.
According to Soccer News, he “has no quality.”
“He costs far too much for a young athlete. From time to time, you can send him down into the depths if there’s a little room. That’s all for now.
“It’s the only player available for draft. As you can see, there isn’t another left winger available because of Steven Bergwijn’s injury.
A young and gifted athlete like Mika Godts has been out for some time due to injury. Hlynsson is ultimately forced to play as a left winger and must spend some time hanging there. However, that is not his role.