After seven seasons with Borussia Dortmund, former German international Julian Brandt swapped the Bundesliga for the Eredivisie and joined Ajax. As many expected, it has not taken the 30-year-old midfielder long to show his quality in Dutch football. Brandt was on the scoresheet for the fourth time in just nine games as Ajax beat Fortuna Sittard in convincing fashion on Saturday evening.

The victory continued what has been an indifferent start to the Eredivisie season for Ajax under new head coach Michel. With five games gone, the side have won three, drawn one and lost one. That one defeat certainly hurt, coming at the hands of PSV. The side from Eindhoven are the one that Ajax are looking to be able to compete with again as they try and win the Eredivisie title for the first time since the 2021/2022 season.

Back then, Brandt was coming off another strong showing for Borussia Dortmund. He had scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in 40 games. For a player who has always managed to enjoy seasons with double digit assist totals, it is interesting that Brandt is yet to register one for Ajax. It is surely just a matter of time, and it feels like the experienced German will be integral to any ambitions Ajax have domestically and in Europe this season.