The 2024-25 season is done, and it’s time to look ahead to what’s next for Ajax! In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing my take on the current squad—who should stay, and who should go? Instead of tackling the whole team in one go, I’m breaking it down into separate posts for each position. It’ll be easier for you to follow, and honestly, it’s simpler for me to write this way too. Let’s kick things off with the goalkeepers!
Remko Pasveer
Before the 2024-25 season kicked off, no one saw Remko Pasveer starting as our #1 goalkeeper. Diant Ramaj was our main guy last season, and I didn’t think his performances were bad enough to get replaced. But manager Francesco Farioli had other ideas. He picked Pasveer for his ability to organize the defense and position the backline—skills Farioli valued more. It was a bold call, especially since Pasveer turned 40 right before the season started. Looking back, Farioli got it right—Pasveer had a solid season and proved his worth.
Now at 41, though, I think it’s time for Ajax to find a new #1 goalkeeper—someone younger who can be our long-term option for years to come. Pasveer doesn’t need to leave the club completely. His mentality and professionalism are great to have in the squad, especially for the younger players. But he needs to know he won’t be the main goalkeeper next season. If he’s okay with a backup role, I’d love to see him stay for one more year. If not, it might be time to move on.
Jay Gorter
Jay Gorter got a few starts as our #1 under Maurice Steijn, but he quickly dropped back to a backup role after that. This 2024-25 season, he barely saw the pitch—just one appearance as a substitute in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt. And honestly, that game didn’t do him any favors. His performance was pretty poor, and it showed when Ajax pulled out all the stops to make sure Matheus could play in the return leg. That move spoke volumes.
Jay hasn’t complained about being a backup this season, which I respect, but I think it’s time for him to move on. He’s never going to be our #1, and after that Frankfurt game, I don’t even trust him as a backup anymore. He’s still young at 25, so a fresh start somewhere else could be good for him—just not at Ajax.
Matheus
After selling Diant Ramaj in the winter transfer window, Ajax needed a new goalkeeper, and that’s when Matheus came in. The plan was for him to be a backup, but when Remko Pasveer got injured, Matheus ended up playing way more games than anyone expected. His performances have been a mixed bag. On one hand, his reflexes can be top-notch, and he reads the game well—like in his first start, when he played a perfect long ball to Traore that Ajax fans won’t forget. On the other hand, he’s been inconsistent. Against FC Utrecht, he couldn’t save a thing, and there was a shaky moment against Sparta where he picked up a back-pass. There was debate over whether a Sparta player touched it first, but either way, it was an unnecessary risk. That mistake led to a goal, though luckily it didn’t cost us the game.
Matheus isn’t a bad goalkeeper, but I think it’s best for everyone if we part ways. With Remko as our #2 next season, I don’t see the point in keeping Matheus as a #3, especially when we need to spend money on a new #1. We’d be better off finding a #3 goalkeeper whose contract is expiring—someone experienced but affordable. It’s too early for youngsters like Charlie Setford or Tommy Reverson to take that spot; they’re not ready yet. For goalkeepers, having three solid options is key when you’re competing in three tournaments all season long.
Charlie Setford
Charlie Setford, one of the goalkeepers for Ajax’s second team, hasn’t had the best 2024-25 season. He’s shown flashes of potential with some solid reflexes, but there were also moments where he made the wrong call—something you can’t afford as a goalkeeper. It’s tough being a keeper at a young age; most tend to hit their stride later when they’ve got more experience under their belt.
I think Charlie should stay with the second team for the 2025-26 season. He needs more time to develop and cut down on those mistakes. Rushing him into the first-team setup as a #3 isn’t the move right now—he’s got potential, but he’s not there yet. Let him grow with Jong Ajax and build that consistency first.
Paul Reverson
Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about Tommy Reverson. Before the 2024-25 season started, I hadn’t heard much about him. But as the season went on, he earned more game time with the second team and, in my opinion, outperformed Setford overall. His reflexes and handling are real strengths, and he’s also great with the ball at his feet—a must-have trait for a modern goalkeeper, especially at Ajax where we play out from the back.
That said, Reverson has the same problem as Setford: he’s a bit too inconsistent. Like Charlie, I think another year with Jong Ajax is the best spot for him to develop. Let him and Setford battle it out for that second-team spot and see who comes out on top by the end of the 2025-26 season. That competition will push them both to grow.