Van der Gijp questions Ajax’s handling of Marcos Leonardo as striker struggles for fitness and minutes
Ajax’s €20 million investment in Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo has yet to deliver the impact many supporters expected. The 23-year-old has scored once since joining the Amsterdam club last summer and has so far been limited to brief substitute appearances in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. After he was introduced late in Ajax’s 1-1 draw with NEC, Dutch football pundit René van der Gijp questioned whether the club is doing enough to help the striker reach full fitness.
Van der Gijp believes Leonardo may have arrived in the Netherlands carrying several extra kilos and argues that Ajax should have addressed the issue directly rather than continue giving him short spells from the bench. His comments have added to the discussion around Ajax’s recruitment, player preparation and the challenge of adapting to a new league.
Van der Gijp calls for a dedicated fitness plan
Speaking on the KieftJansenEgmondGijp podcast, Van der Gijp said he had the impression Leonardo was around five kilos overweight when he arrived in Amsterdam. He suggested that Ajax could have used body-fat measurements and other fitness assessments to establish a clear starting point and create a focused conditioning programme.
“As a coach, I’d say: we’ll set aside five weeks to get those five kilos off,” Van der Gijp said. In his view, Leonardo should have trained separately with a dedicated coach until he was ready to rejoin the main group. The objective, he argued, would be to build the forward’s fitness before expecting him to compete at the intensity required in the Eredivisie.
The pundit’s proposed approach is deliberately strict, but it reflects a broader issue facing clubs when they sign players from abroad. A footballer may need time to adjust not only to a new team and country, but also to different training demands, match tempo and tactical responsibilities. Clubs often balance those factors with the pressure to get an expensive signing onto the pitch quickly.
Why brief substitute appearances may not help
Leonardo has generally been used as a late substitute rather than given a regular starting role. Van der Gijp believes that repeatedly bringing him on for the closing minutes could be counterproductive if the striker is not physically ready to make a meaningful contribution.
Short appearances can offer a player valuable exposure to match conditions, but they also leave little time to settle into the game. A forward entering late may have to make an immediate impact against defenders who are already in rhythm, often while the team is protecting a result or chasing a goal. If fitness is a concern, those circumstances can make it even harder to show what the player can do.
Van der Gijp said he would avoid using Leonardo from the bench until the striker had improved his condition. That view contrasts with the common practice of gradually introducing a new signing through brief appearances. Ajax’s coaching staff must decide whether regular substitute minutes are helping Leonardo adapt or simply delaying the more intensive work needed to prepare him for a larger role.
Sterling comparison highlights the demands of Dutch football
To underline his point, Van der Gijp compared Leonardo’s situation with that of Raheem Sterling, who played for Feyenoord last season. He argued that fitness is essential regardless of a player’s reputation or technical ability, because even elite attackers can struggle to beat defenders if they are not in the right condition.
Van der Gijp also referred to full-backs at VVV-Venlo and NEC, saying that players at every level of the Dutch game are fit enough to compete. His broader message was that talent alone cannot guarantee success in one-on-one situations. Speed, stamina and the ability to repeat high-intensity efforts can be decisive, particularly in a league where transitions and pressing often leave attackers with little time or space.
He used Vinícius Júnior as an exaggerated example, suggesting that even a world-class dribbler would find it difficult to get past a defender if carrying significant extra weight. The comparison is intended to stress the importance of conditioning, rather than to suggest that Leonardo and the Real Madrid star are at the same stage of their careers or ability.
Diet, routine and the challenge of settling in Amsterdam
Van der Gijp also speculated about Leonardo’s life away from football, including what he eats and whether he lives alone. He joked about the rich portions served at Brazilian restaurants, describing a meal built around large amounts of meat and fat. The comments were humorous, but they point to a serious part of professional sport: nutrition and daily routine can influence recovery, body composition and performance.
For a player moving to a new country, adapting to unfamiliar food, living arrangements and social habits can take time. Clubs typically support overseas signings through nutrition specialists, performance staff and practical guidance on life outside the training ground. Those services can be particularly important when a player is adjusting to a different climate, schedule and style of football.
However, public speculation about a player’s diet should not be confused with confirmed information. Ajax has not established through the comments cited that Leonardo’s weight or eating habits are the reason for his limited playing time. Fitness assessments, training data and the coach’s tactical decisions are likely to provide a more complete picture than outside assumptions.
Ajax face a decision over a costly summer signing
Leonardo’s slow start has inevitably attracted attention because of the transfer fee. A €20 million signing is expected to strengthen the team, but a transfer price does not guarantee immediate success. New arrivals may need time to regain match sharpness, understand the coach’s system and build partnerships with teammates. The challenge for Ajax is to identify what is holding the striker back and provide a clear path towards regular involvement.
That could mean a tailored conditioning plan, more minutes with the reserve side, or carefully managed appearances in the first team. Each option carries trade-offs. Keeping Leonardo out of the senior squad could help him focus on fitness, as Van der Gijp recommends, but it might also slow his tactical integration. Continuing to use him as a substitute could maintain his connection to the team, though it may not provide enough playing time to build confidence and rhythm.
Prediction: Leonardo’s next steps will shape the story
The key question for Ajax is whether Leonardo can turn his limited opportunities into evidence that he is ready for a bigger role. If he improves his physical condition and receives more consistent minutes, his pace and attacking instincts could still become valuable assets. But if his appearances remain brief and his goal return does not improve, scrutiny of the club’s recruitment and player-development strategy is likely to grow.
For now, Van der Gijp’s comments have sharpened the debate around the Brazilian forward’s fitness and Ajax’s approach. The most useful measure will be what happens on the pitch: whether Leonardo can sustain the intensity of Eredivisie football, contribute more regularly and justify the club’s investment. Until then, any prediction about his long-term success remains uncertain—but Ajax’s handling of his preparation may prove just as important as the striker’s own response.
