There is always at least one selection in a World Cup squad that causes eyebrows to rise into hairlines. Often that player is deemed to reflect a wider weakness with the manager and becomes a lightning rod for criticism.
Representing the Netherlands, step forward Daley Blind and Louis van Gaal…
Despite having played a key role in van Gaal’s unbeaten start to his third reign in charge, in which the Oranje has won 7 of 9 matches, the selection of Blind for the World Cup has been met with general disapproval. He has had a poor season at club level and was recently dropped from a struggling Ajax side by the under-pressure Coach Alfred Schreuder, with fans citing him as one of the main causes of the Dutch champions’ demise this campaign domestically and in Europe. A shocking mistake against Napoli in the Champions League did not help the cloud of negativity forming around him.
At international level, Blind has 94 caps for his country but is now increasingly perceived as a hindrance to the development of a young, vibrant squad. The building consensus is that he is too slow, not good enough in an attacking sense, and blocking the pathways of others. The fact that in-form youngsters such as Newcastle United’s Sven Botman and Micky van de Ven of Wolfsburg were overlooked has only added fuel to the fire. And, whilst the presence of his father Danny Blind on the Dutch coaching staff will not have influenced van Gaal’s decision, it has only fanned the flames of frustration for those who feel that van Gaal has an obvious blind spot or a degree of favouritism. when it comes to Blind Jr. For many, Blind is a conservative pick that raises concerns that van Gaal will seek caution ahead of expansiveness.
Yet when the Oranje kick off their hunt for that elusive first World Cup, Blind will almost certainly be in the starting 11. The 32-year-old has not only been in every one of van Gaal’s squads since the grandfather of Dutch football returned in 2021 but has played every minute of the seven games in which he has been used. The other two were when he was rested.
This then begs the question – why does one of the Netherland’s most successful coaches actually continue to pick him?
Balance to the system
Firstly, Blind slots ideally into the tactical systems van Gaal will likely follow in Qatar. Whether switching between a 3-5-2, 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2 set-up, Blind acts as an ideal option on the left-hand side. During Netherlands matches, you will see Inter Milan’s Flying Dutchman Denzel Dumfries spending most of his time high on the right, effectively as a winger. This necessitates a more conservative approach on the opposite flank to prevent the defence from being exposed, with both flanks wide open. What’s more, Blind can both naturally tuck inside to provide an overload in central midfield and if necessary drop back to fill into the left-sided centre-back position. As someone who has never been blessed with pace, the former Manchester United man has needed to develop a high football IQ and positional nous, which van Gaal knows is key during games.
An experienced head
It is easy to forget that, despite some of the star names in this Dutch squad, barely any of them have any World Cup experience. Indeed, after failing to qualify for the 2018 showpiece, there are only three individuals who played in 2014 when van Gaal led them to the Semi-Finals – Stefan de Vrij, Memphis Depay, and a certain Daley Blind. The latter played in every match, either as a wing-back or in central midfield, scoring in the third-place playoff win against Brazil and providing the perfect diagonal pass for that iconic Robin van Persie header during the thrashing of Spain. Even if he ends up just being a squad player, his leadership and know-how of what it takes to not only play but thrive in a World Cup is vitally important for this young squad.
Value of versatility
In a tournament squad, having players who can play in multiple positions is hugely beneficial. It can enable a coach to load up on players in other areas, in van Gaal’s case in attack, whilst providing more flexibility during matches and useful cover if injuries strike, something which is always a risk due to the quick turnaround in matches. A coach might feel lucky if he has a player who can play in two positions. Realistically, Blind can do a job in six – full-back or wing-back on either flank, defensive midfield, or on the left of a defensive three. During World Cup qualification Blind played as an orthodox left-back, before spending all of the Nations League campaign as a wing-back. If the Oranje go deep in the tournament, this positional pliability will become increasingly valuable.
Well-suited for international football
You simply do not play almost 100 times for your country if you are not good enough for international football. A lot of the criticisms of Blind are valid but they perhaps overlook how well he has done in orange since his debut in 2013. The international game is a lot slower than at club level, which suits Blind. In the heat of Qatar, that speed of play could be even slower, negating the issues over his lack of pace.
His attacking stats are poor – his last goal for the Netherlands was in 2014 – but there have been recent signs of improvement in that regard, with well-timed forays forward from wing-back, providing an option at the back post in the box and stretching sides during switches of play. Recently he got two assists against Belgium and really should have scored against Poland. Aside from this, his calmness and vision on the ball, strong passing off both sides, and natural defensive qualities are assets for the team. What’s more, it is clear that Blind understands exactly what van Gaal requires of him in this balanced role. Trust is an underrated factor, particularly due to the lack of preparation time for this World Cup, and he has it in abundance from van Gaal.
If international squads were picked purely on form, Daley Blind surely would not have boarded that plane to Qatar. Yet they are not. In his last dance as a coach, van Gaal has a clear idea of what he is getting from the oldest outfield player in his squad. And if the Netherlands does end up going far, it is highly likely that Blind will have had a significant role to play.
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“You simply do not play almost 100 times for your country if you are not good enough for international football”
Well you do if for example your father is manager for almost 20% of that etc.
Fact is he may be the greatest player in the world in terms of vision, technique etc. which he’s nowhere near and still no other good team will play you because as a defender you can’t just lose every sprint, header and physicall battle against some random guys in Eredivisie. Imagine him battling Mbappe. This is just silly. No other good team have such bad players in the squad and if that’s not the case name one for example in France, England, Spain etc. I will wait. You are too weak to play in Eredivisie but in World Cup is just great.
Netherlands will win nothing with him and his dad who was worst coach ever and wasted 2018 World Cup and now is assistant manager. This is only possible in Netherlands. Now they will waste antoher World Cup because of them and than still Koeman will take over, Blind will still play and old Blind will still be some important person and again we will loke at this and have hope. But there is no hope if you play in the World Cup 32 year old washed up guy with pacemaker.
Thanks Joe, good discussion.
Van Gaal’s an interesting one when talking in terms of success. Van Persie’s was running to high five Van Gaal, does he have someone like that running to him know, or Robben and Sneijder, three of the Dutch greats.
Also remember Van Gaal of United, when Dutch football was at its lowest sense of play for country and club. It was some of the most boring football served up sine the Oranje changed the way it was played.
I could never see Maradona and Van Gaal in the same team, but Maradona dreamed of playing in the 70s team.
Does Van Gaal bow out in the way he was at Barca?
There is a team there, from Van Dijk to Simons,
BUt Blind though, as you say Vanderman, is ‘silly’ to be considered a starter.
Question is who?
Malacia, with DeJong on anchoring duties between Dumfries?
Maybe the idea is put a forward who will play back, to balance Dumfires who is a back playing forward.
if Simons was to play ahead of Dumfries, De Jong and whoever, the perhaps Berghuis is the player needed.
He’s being tried in a more central midfield recently.
He’s got a sweet foot to be putting balls centrally into Simons and Depay.
Could Berghuis work a partnership with Ake,
with Van Dijk central to Timber and Dumfries.
Simons and a front three of Depay and Bergwijn and Lang, forgo the height for play. Argentina will hopefully be a great clash.
Can wait for them to start.
Just keep Blind as back up.
simple when people underestimate you that’s where you will excel. People won’t pay any attention to you on the field until you perform ….a valuable assist ….the important assist..the winning assist…………Hup Oranje Hup
This is a travesty. Like the other comment mentions without his Dad on staff he’s no where near the roster. Blind can string a good pass – we know. He served the Dutch good for years. Right now it’s embarrassing. He CLEARLY athletically, physically and talent wise can’t even get on the pitch for his club. He’s made terrible mistakes for the Oranje in the last two years. Not to mention we have Dumfries, Frimpong and Malacia. Not to mention plenty of others at home who could do the job more effectively. We all know the system. Daley Blinds slowness and lack of quality doesn’t help the system. Bring Blind, Weghorst, L De Jong (same player as Weghorst), Janseen and anyone else who is slow and not dynamic. Leave Danjuma and Brobbey? It’s terrible. There is no right reason why ancient LVG is playing Daley Blind. The only logical one is his dad is on the staff of LVG liked him for so long now he can’t see clearly.
Name the horrible mistakes that Blind has made for the oranje. And the right sided attackers that have tormented him while you’re at.
Honestly, I don’t want to hear anyone talk about Blind being a defensive liability or slow without providing examples of this actually happening. He’s played more than enough minutes (and the team has conceded a few goals) for his critics to be able to point out the instances when he cost them a game.
Blind has never been fast or tall but when partnering Chris Smalling and De Ligt his partners who pass that nonsense eye test of looking domineering were hailed. The moment those players go out and play with someone else besides them they looked shambolic. It’s ridiculous that Blind is being called a defensive liability when he’s still much safer than De Ligt who despite being tall and fairly fast is often at fault for his teams conceding.
I really thought we were passed determining a players effectiveness by their height and pace after Barcas all conquering midgets.