Benjamin Tahirović: Ajax’s 20-Year Old Swedish-Bosnian Diamond in the Midfield by David Bendlin
Benjamin Tahirović is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder who plays for Ajax and the Bosnia Herzegovina national team. Tahirović flourished with Roma’s Primavera and broke through with Mourinho’s Giallorossi. Tahirović credits Jose Mourinho for his recent success at Roma and his promotion to the Bosnia-Herzegovina national team. Tahirović is inspired by his former teammate and friend Nemanja Matic. His style of play matches well with Ajax’s tradition of ball-dominant, possession heavy football. Tahirović has the potential to emerge as a world-class holding midfielder at the club and international level. Will The Special One’s gift from Roma become Ajax’s new man in the middle?
Player Profile:
Benjamin Tahirović was born in Spanga, Stockholm, Sweden and played his youth football at AIK before joining FC Djursholm. His senior career began at Vasalunds IF at age 17 against IFK Berga.
In 2021, Tahirović signed a contract with AS Roma. In November 2022, he debuted for Roma against Torino. In January 2023, Jose Mourinho gave him his first start for AS Roma at home vs. Bologna.
In June 2023, Tahirović transferred to Ajax. He made his Eredivise debut against Heracles in August 2023 for €7.5m.
Tahirović opted to represent Bosnia-Herzegovina over his birthplace Sweden and made his international debut for Bosnia-Herzegovina in March 2023 in a UEFA EURO qualifier against Iceland.
In December 2023, Tahirović won the “Johann Cruyff Talent of the Month” as the best U21 performer in the Eredivisie. He had 11 interceptions and a pass accuracy of 91%, completing 180 out of his 198 pass attempts.
23/24 Eredivisie Season (as of 1/16/24):
12 Matches
904 Minutes
2 Goals, 2 Assists
Full Name: Benjamin Tahirović
Country: Sweden, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Date of Birth: March 3, 2003 (20)
Height: 192cm
Youth Career: AIK, FC Djursholm
Current Club: Ajax
National Team: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Position: Defensive Midfield
Preferred Foot: Right
Market Value: €6m (Transfermarkt)
Similar Type of Player: Stefan Bajcetic, Lesley Oguchukwu, Florian Grillitsch
Ajax’s System and Tahirović’s Role:
“He plays in a 4-3-3 the holding MF position. From my point of view one of the best talents I ever saw on this position. Of course, he has to develop. He’s in the right environment to do so, so we’ll help him with that.” (Ajax TV)
-Ajax Director Sven Mislintat
“I love the ball. I am good technically, physically. But I need a little bit of work on my defensive side. Number six, I think it fits my playing style, my qualities, and my structure as a player.” (Ajax TV)
-Benjamin Tahirović
Tahirović plays the holding midfield for a young Ajax side, top of defensive triangle between Hato and Sutalo. He plays regularly as a lone, organizing 6 in Ajax’s 4-3-3 and acts a deep-lying playmaker in their 4-2-3-1. He tends to drop-in to provide an outlet in-possession during buildup.
Figure 1 – Tahirović moves into space to receive as third man and leads the counterattack for the 8’ Brobbey go-ahead goal in the win vs. Sparta Rotterdam on 12/9/14.
He excels when his side is in possession. He uses intelligent and elegant movements despite his size at 193cm to shift in and out of spaces to drop into passing lanes. He is adept at manipulating opposing markers. He reads and anticipates changes to shape and occupies new spaces to provide options to teammates. He relies on his technical ability to facilitate play when his side is in-possession. His fluid hips allow for quick change of direction. He uses body feints to alter his body shape to be deceptive towards defenders. He regularly drifts side to side when his team is in-possession to find space to receive and turn. He frequently drops in between center-backs and fullbacks to find space in the buildup. He plays over the shoulder on opposing attackers and relieves pressure from opposing high presses. His high rate of scanning helps him to have an awareness of spacing. He uses small turns to get forward facing to deliver vertical passes.
Figure 2 – Tahirović carries through midfield in counterattack and supplies through ball to Brobbey vs. PEC Zwolle on 12/17/24.
His wide range of passes include lofted passes into the attacking 1/3, trivelas, diagonal medium-range through balls, and slip passes to forwards with proper weight of pass. He receives the ball comfortably facing own goal as an outlet in the buildup. He uses first touch passes to reach fullbacks and to switch play. He can distribute medium range passes to attackers with his left foot. His frequent scanning and knowledge of spacing allows him to accurately decide how to receive the ball to avoid pressure and select between a variety of turns.
Figure 3 – Tahirović carries through the channel, receives a one-two, and supplies the pre-assist for the Rensch 72’ winning goal vs. Go Ahead Eagles on 1/14/24.
His role is as a one-or-two touch facilitator who generally plays short efficient passes and provides a rhythm in his side’s buildup. He allows the ball to run and works side to side of the field naturally. He distributes medium-to-long range passes, switches, and through balls with appropriate weight of pass.
Figure 4 – Tahirović role on Ajax as organizing midfielder with repeated scanning to find space between the lines to provide outlet during buildup.
He shows a calmness on the ball. He is comfortable in pressure and relies on his pausa to draw defenders. His deft first touch allows teammates to use him as an outlet, where he can facilitate play from the back and help relieve pressure in defensive 1/3. He is effective in tight spaces and uses a variety of 1v1 skills to create space and change angles.
He needs to continue to develop his defensive qualities. He is occasionally out of position after an aggressive step forward. He can build on his tackling and increase his rate of challenges won.
Plus Attributes:
• Technical Ability
• Passing Accuracy
• Weight of Pass
• Short/Medium Range Passing
• Positioning
• Spatial Awareness
• Scanning
• Anticipation
• Interceptions
• First Touch
• Stamina
• Work Rate
• Weak Foot
Areas to Improve:
• Tackling
• Challenges
• Strength
• Aerial duels
• Man-Marking
Average Sofascore Rating: 7.05 (Eredivisie 23/24 as of 1/16/24)
https://www.sofascore.com/player/benjamin-tahirovic/1102659#tab:statistics
Video:
Achievements:
Coppa Italia Primavera 22/23 with Roma U19.
2023/2024 Stats (as of 1/16/24):
21 Matches Played (all competitions)
1515 Minutes
2 Goals
3 Assists
Statistical Comparison: (fbref)
*Compared to other European U23s in similar positions across major leagues
Including: Arthur Vermeeren (Antwerp), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Eric Martel (Koln), Amadou Onana (Everton), Billy Gilmour (Brighton)
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Short Pass Completion %:
– 91.4% – Compared to Gilmour at 96.6, Rovella 94.6, Caicedo 93.9, Ricci, 91.6, Vermeeren 89.2, Timber 88.4
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Medium Pass Completion %
– 92.8% – Compared to Caicedo at 93.4, Onyedika 91.6, Rovella 90.4, Vermeeren 89.0, Martel 87.2, Ricci 85.9
_
Long Passes Completed per 90
– 5.20 – Compared to Onyedika at 5.61, Gimour 4.93, Rovella 4.41, Caicedo 3.95, Onana 3.65, Ricci 2.95
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Progressive Passing Distance per 90
– 256.0 – Compared to Gilmour at 327.3, Onyedika 292.7, Caicedo 236.0, Vermeeren 208.7, Rovella 205.3, Taylor 204.2
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Goal Creating Actions per 90
– 0.50 – Compared to Timber at 0.62, Gilmour 0.42, Taylor 0.36, Caidedo 0.25, Vermeeren 0.25, Rovella 0.17
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Interceptions per 90
– 1.60 – Compared to Rovella at 1.52, Martel 1.34, Vermeer 1.21, Caicedo 0.86, Ricci, 0.83, Taylor 0.79
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Touches per 90
– 66.1 – Compared to Gilmour at 96.3, Rovella 73.2, Caicedo 72.7, Onyedika 69.9, Vermeeren 61.9, Taylor 58.4
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Tackles per 90 (-)
– 1.50 – Compared to Martel at 2.99, Onana 2.88, Rovella 2.71, Onyedika 2.48, Caicedo 2.47, Timber 2.24
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Challenges Lost per 90 (-)
– 1.20 – Compared to Rovella 1.53, Vermeeren 1.21, Gilmour 1.20, Martel 1.12, Caicedo 0.93, Onyedika 0.83, Onana 0.83
Analysis:
After comparing statistics with other European U23s in similar positions across major leagues (league and competition bias should be considered), Tahirović ranks slightly above Vermeeren and Timber in short-and-medium range passing completion rate, but below Premier League defensive midfielders Caicedo and Gilmour. Tahirović is proficient in long range and progressive passing with ratings slightly below Onyedika but ahead of the likes of Seria A midfielders Rovella and Ricci. His goal creating actions
per 90 place him ahead of his teammate Taylor as well as PL midfielders Caicedo and Gilmour. His interceptions per 90 metrics measured above all (10) compared U23 midfielders. Weaknesses were found in his tackles per 90 and challenges lost per 90 statistics.
Thoughts on Player:
“Sometimes he is Swedish, sometimes Bosnian. When he is Swedish, he is calmer and relaxed. When he is Bosnian, he is my warrior.”
-Jose Mourinho
Tahirović is a young, dynamic midfielder whose technical ability, passing range, awareness, and footballing IQ make him a promising prospect. He is a high energy, active holding midfielder who thrives when his side is in possession. He is willing to work hard in defense and out-of-possession but needs growth in defensive characteristics to be a more complete defensive midfielder. He reads and anticipates oppositions movements and attacking runs but could improve in marking on recovery runs and preventing threats on goal.
Similar to the likes of Begović, Ahmedhodžić, Kolašinac, Hadžikadunić, and Nalić, Tahirović decided to play for the Bosnia-Herzegovina national team due to his parents Bosnian background. He has played 6 matches and 327 minutes, completing 90% of his pass attempts.
He was trusted by Mourinho at Roma and has become a regular as deep-lying midfielder in Ajax Interim Manager John van’t Schip’s 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.
He is a threat to score, assist, and contribute when progressing up-field and arriving around the 18-yard box. He scored his goal arriving at second post off a set piece vs. Go Ahead Eagles (1/14). He assisted Brobbey vs. PEC Zwolle (12/17) carrying towards the top of 18 and slipping a pass through.
He has been trending upwards over the past 2 months. He was named Eredivisie Johann Cruyff “Talent of the Month” for December. He has one goal, two assists, and pre-assist over last 3 competitive matches (as of 1/16/24).
Has been receiving regular minutes after being subbed on against Almere City on 11/12/23, scoring in the 82’ in the away draw. Ajax has since won 6 out of their last 9 matches across all competitions, losing once and drawing twice.
Links:
They are ripping him apart in Amsterdam, everyone, from coach to commentators affiliated with Ajax and media, to supporters – it seems they can’t wait to see him depart this very summer. I am baffled, although his off-ball play really does look sub-par too often.