Benjamin Tahirović: Ajax’s 20-Year Old Swedish-Bosnian Diamond in the Midfield by David Bendlin

Jacek Kulig

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

Heatmap by Wyscout

Video:

https://youtu.be/qPNe8aqQWy0?si=QA0olQHeTb5JWsXD

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) 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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

Transfermarkt

FBref

Share This Article
1 Comment