Oleksandr Zinchenko joins Ajax after Forest loan is cancelled amid Premier League slide | OneFootball

Oleksandr Zinchenko is joining Ajax on a permanent deal after Nottingham Forest cancelled his loan. According to Telegraph, he was told to find a new club after the Wrexham defeat.

Three years ago he was thriving for Arsenal after a £30m switch from Manchester City, a key figure in their title push.

Since then injuries, notably repeated calf problems, and managerial churn have stalled him. The 29-year-old started only one league match after the mid-October loss to Chelsea, which was also the final game of Ange Postecoglou’s 39-day spell. Sean Dyche’s arrival quickly diminished his chances.

That Wrexham tie earlier this month brought a half-time substitution as Dyche raged at the display. Zinchenko’s technical, inverted left-back profile sits far from Dyche’s more orthodox full-back demands, whereas under Postecoglou he started five of the seven games he could play.

At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta sought greater power at left-back, bringing in Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié, who offer more defensive steel. The league has also become more aggressive and physical.

Ajax’s philosophy should suit him and offers a chance to reassert his influence in a top league. Whether he returns to England is unclear, and he may be leaving the Premier League for good unless the right manager and club align.

Source: Telegraph