Julen Lopetegui is set to have crunch talks with Mohammed Kudus after the midfielder was sent off in the 86th minute of a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham. The incident has sparked widespread concern among fans and pundits alike, with many calling for the player to take responsibility for his actions.
The sending-off was the culmination of a frustrating evening for Kudus, who had struggled to make an impact on the game. Despite his team's dominance in possession, they were unable to find a way past the Spurs defense, and it was the home side who eventually broke the deadlock.
As the game wore on, Kudus became increasingly agitated, and his frustration boiled over in the 86th minute. A confrontation with Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr ended with the Ajax midfielder striking both players in the face, leaving the referee with no choice but to give him his marching orders.
The incident has sparked a heated debate among fans, with some calling for Kudus to be handed a lengthy ban. While others have come to the player's defense, arguing that he was provoked by the Spurs players.
Lopetegui will undoubtedly be disappointed by Kudus' actions, and it remains to be seen how he will react to the incident. The manager has been known to be fiercely loyal to his players, but he will also be aware that discipline is crucial if his team is to succeed at the highest level.
With the talks set to take place in the coming days, it will be interesting to see how Lopetegui chooses to handle the situation. Will he come down hard on Kudus, or will he take a more lenient approach? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of Ajax fans, and it will be a talking point for weeks to come.