Let us be clear - Frenkie de Jong is a world class footballer. Along with Virgil van Dijk, he was one of only two the Netherlands had in their squad for Euro 2024. The Oranje simply do not have another ...

If there is one word to use to describe the approach of Ajax to transfer business over the last couple of seasons, ‘intelligent’ would not be one of them.  Although fair sums have been brought in (hello Antony), there is no ...

When we think about Dutch football, its impact and those who have defined it, usually it is the creative and attacking players that instinctively spring to mind. The artists of the game who dissected defences and found bottom corners with ...

Over the years, the Netherlands has produced a list of centre forwards so good that you have to double-check that you’ve read it properly. Think Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Dennis Bergkamp and Marco van Basten, to name ...

“It has to do with the system. He is more right winger than right back. And my right back has to be able to defend very well in the first instance. He has played too few games in a four-man ...

Between 2020 and 2022, two immensely talented young central midfielders were lighting up Europe. Similar in age, playing style and profile, they each had first broken into their respective teams and then gone on to become practically undroppable. They were ...

The Netherlands last four major tournament performances read - not qualified, not qualified, second round, quarter final. Even factoring in the natural transitional period following the golden generation that almost won a World Cup in 2010, it is a pitiful ...

It has felt a while since the Eredivisie had a genuine title race.  Granted last season ended with PSV Eindhoven only two points behind Ajax, yet Eric ten Hag’s side barely broke sweat in the run-in, going 10 games unbeaten. They ...

Near the end of this month the Netherlands will begin their latest international tournament cycle, leading to Euro 2024 next summer. And, just like they did during qualification for Euro 2020 and again for Word Cup 2022, they are doing ...

Football players are a bit like clothes. They come in and out of fashion. For a period of time a certain type of player, fulfilling a certain role in a team becomes the main trend. Remember when it was in ...

After watching the rise of Cody Gakpo over the last few years in the Eredivisie, one of the first things you notice is how good his decision-making is. Yes, he is excellent off both feet, a creator as well as ...

For a fan, tournament football can be a complex and conflicting beast. If your team has the potential to go a long way, maybe even all the way, the main priority is surely to just keep progressing forwards, no matter ...