The Eredivisie has headed into its winter break and now is the perfect time for the Football-Oranje team to pick their XI’s of the season so far.
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Football-Oranje’s finest, Michael Bell, Michael Statham and James Rowe have all given their individual sides for you to pick your favourite. Make sure to add yours in the comment section.
Michael Statham
Follow Michael on Twitter: @EredivisieMike
Marco Bizot: The AZ goalkeeper has kept a tied-record high of seven clean sheets so far this season and gets the nod from me because he’s helped fill a position that AZ had struggled with for a fair few years.
Denzel Dumfries: Heerenveen’s right-back has stepped up well since signing from Sparta in the summer. Dumfries is a constant threat from the right-side, with five assists to his name so far.
Matthijs De Ligt: De Ligt got some criticism this season for his form for Ajax. I think he’s been outstanding. Often, De Ligt is the leader in a back three, and at only 18 has come on so much since last season.
Bram van Polen: PEC Zwolle’s mean defence can be partly attributed to van Polen, who’s played centre-back and left-back this season, despite naturally being a right-back.
Mustfa Saymak: Saymak has stood out thanks to his performances in defensive midfield for PEC Zwolle. His form, coupled with fellow midfielders Younes Namli and Ryan Thomas, has made for an incredible season for Zwolle. They’re all very technically gifted and Saymak has been at the hub of everything good for his side recently.
Donny van de Beek: I could have picked any of Ajax’s midfielders, but van de Beek’s development to become a first team regular and his six goals for the Amsterdam side was what drew me to pick the Dutch youngster.
Zakaria Labyad: Labyad has openly admitted his move to Utrecht was merely a transition club back to the top of Europe. The attacking midfielder has collected seven goals and five assists so far.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh: A terrific talent for AZ with lots of guile and pace. His goals and assists contribution from the right-wing will be hard to replace once the Iranian winger appears at the World Cup this summer.
Wout Weghorst: Wingers and attacking midfielders are often easy to find when it comes to an Eredivisie team of the season but Weghorst is arguably the only stand out striker so far this season thanks to his all-round game. The 25-year-old is a target-man for AZ who has good link up play and is a constant danger in the box thanks to his height and quick feet.
Jürgen Locadia: Jürgen Locadia has netted nine times from the left-wing for a free-scoring PSV this season. Right-wingers have been prominent in the Eredivisie but Locadia was the clear choice for me playing on the left-side.
James Rowe
Follow James on Twitter: @JamesRoweNL
Jeroen Zoet: I have been impressed with Zoet’s attitude and consistency so far this season. It was thought that he would leave PSV last summer and he has responded really well after muted transfer deals fell through
Fabian Sporkslede: This player is my find of the season so far and he will only get better. I also mentioned him on a recent podcast. He is so natural in his position of right back and his forward runs create a lot of space for NAC Breda front line.
Matthijs De Ligt: He has carried off where he left last season. A maturity that defies his years and he is so comfortable in possession of the ball.
Willem Janssen: FC Utrecht captain and stalwart having a great season so far. Not only with his tactical ability but also chipping in with goals.
Joshua Brenet: Gaining more notoriety at left back and becoming more and more important for PSV. I would not be surprised to see him involved in future Oranje squads.
David Neres: What a buy from Ajax. Quick, Agile and intelligent. Scoring goals and assists for fun. After the Richarlison deal fell through what a plan B from Ajax!
Marco van Ginkel: A very solid season for from a great player who has felt at home since day one at PSV. You can now feel his presence in midfielder and he has a bright future ahead.
Zakaria Labyad: He has become so important to FC Utrecht with goals and assists . Taking on the responsibility to win games on his own for FC Utrecht at times. Very impressive indeed.
Alireza Jahanbaksh: AZ Alkmaar have a real find in this player. Very dangerous on that ball and especially at creating space for AZ Alkmaar to surge forward.
Hirving Lozano: PSV’s scouting network strikes again . What a find . Hirving Lozano has followed in foot steps of fellow Mexican Andres Guardado. He will be amongst the individual honours come the end of the season.
Fran Sol: This Spanish striker is having an Indian summer in terms of goals and recognition. Willem II produced a real coup to pluck him away from Villarreal in 2016. With his timing and turn of pace you can see why he played from Real Madrid in his youth .
Michael Bell
Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelJBell09
Jeroen Zoet: PSV don’t have the tightest back-four in the league but what they do have is an excellent goalkeeper, who has come to his side’s rescue on several occasions this season. A solid season so far for the stopper who is clearly ready for his next move.
Matthijs de Ligt: The 18-year-old is proving why he is so widely regarded with excellent performances at the back for Ajax. He has hardly put a foot wrong in the league so far and chipped in with some goals as well.
Frenkie de Jong: Yes he may have only just become a definite starter in the Ajax XI but what a player De Jong is. His performances since slotting into the Ajax backline have been a joy to behold. He drives Ajax forward at every opportunity and has an excellent array of passes. His dribbling ability is also up there with anyone in the league. His stats over the last few weeks have been insane and prove why he is being linked with Europe’s best.
Bram van Polen: PEC Zwolle sit fourth in the table and one of the main reasons why is their mean defence led by Van Polen. The PEC Zwolle captain is having an excellent campaign across the back four.
Marco van Ginkel: The Chelsea midfielder returned to Eindhoven on loan again and was instantly picked as the new PSV captain. He has been crucial to their success so far with 10 goals and three assists. He has also solved PSV’s penalty issue which plagued them last season.
Hakim Ziyech: The Ajax assist master is having another special campaign in the Ajax midfield and it is surely only a matter of time before the Moroccan is picked up by a big European club. Ziyech has been criticised by the Ajax fans at times for going missing in some games, but his eight assists and four goals have kept Ajax in the title hunt.
Ryan Thomas: PEC Zwolle would not be where they are in the table without the New Zealand international, who is having an excellent campaign in the heart of their midfield. His passing quality and aggression is a major driving force for John van ‘t Schip’s side and they will struggle to prevent the 23-year-old leaving in January.
David Neres: What a season the Brazilian is having for Ajax with the pint-sized winger netting eight goals and providing nine assists. His dribbling ability has left several Eredivisie defenders bamboozled and it’s no surprise that the bigger clubs are starting to take notice of the 20-year-old, who is drawing comparisons to Neymar in some sections of the press.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh: AZ Alkmaar are fighting for the title and a major reason for that is the form of their Iranian winger, who is having an excellent season. Big European sides were already looking at the 24-year-old but six assists and seven goals so far will speed up his move abroad.
Hirving Lozano: Undoubtedly the signing of the summer, PSV Eindhoven got themselves an absolute gem when they signed Lozano, who is currently the league’s top scorer with eleven goals. The Mexican has terrified Eredivisie defences since round one and struck up a deadly partnership with Jurgen Locadia. The big clubs are already starting to swoon but PSV will be digging their heels in to keep the youngster in Eindhoven for the foreseeable future.
Jurgen Locadia: After a deadline day move to Wolves broke down, Locadia has reacted well by firing PSV to the top of the table with nine goals in fifteen games. He flourished early in the campaign in a free roaming role alongside Lozano and Steven Bergwijn and was deservedly called into the Netherlands squad. Locadia confirmed he is looking to leave PSV next summer but first he is determined to fire the club to the title.
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