Michael Bell takes a look at the top five most likely Dutchmen to follow Louis van Gaal to Old Trafford this summer.
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On Monday, after weeks and weeks of speculation, Louis van Gaal was officially named as the new boss of Manchester United, and will take charge after leading Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.
Van Gaal is reportedly going to be given a transfer budget of around €100 million to turn Manchester United back into Premier League title contenders after a poor season, which saw the club fail to reach Europe.
With this bumper transfer budget, will Van Gaal look to sign players from his Netherlands squad? Here are the top five Dutchmen who could appear at Old Trafford this summer:
Kevin Strootman
Manchester United reportedly wanted to sign Strootman last summer, but missed out as the midfielder decided to move to Serie A club Roma. In Italy Strootman has grown as a player, and the 24-year-old is now one of the most impressive box-to-box midfielders in Europe.
A knee injury ended Strootman’s season, and chances of starring at this summers World Cup, which came as a devastating blow for Van Gaal, who described him as “irreplaceable” in his national team.
Strootman would be a pricey buy for Manchester United, Roma will be looking for €30 million+, but he is exactly the player the club needs to strengthen the midfield, which was such a weak point last season.
Van Gaal was asked by a Dutch reporter about the chances of signing Strootman, his answer, “Thats for me to know, and you to find out”
Bruno Martins Indi
Whether it be at left back or in the centre of defence, Bruno-Martins Indi is one of the first names in Louis van Gaal’s defence, and its clear that the coach is a big fan of the Feyenoord star.
The 22-year-old is a strong, commanding player, who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. This season, Martins Indi helped Feyenoord qualify for the Champions League, and a move this summer appears to be on the cards.
Interestingly, the defender came close to joining Everton last summer, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. Manchester United could offer Martins Indi another way into the Premier League.
Daryl Janmaat
Established as Netherlands number one right back under Van Gaal, Janmaat is another player that could be leaving Feyenoord this summer, after contract talks were ended with the Rotterdam club.
Janmaat is a quick, and attack minded full back, who loves to bomb up and down the right wing and swing in a cross or have a shot.
Van Gaal recently said Janmaat was one of the reasons behind Netherlands switching to a 5-3-2 which will allow the right back more freedom to move forward. The 24-year old sent in more crosses than any other Dutchman during qualifying for the World Cup, and ended the Eredivisie season with five assists.
Janmaat could be a huge hit with the Old Trafford faithful.
Jordy Clasie
Anyone watching Netherlands recent friendly against Ecuador could see what Clasie is capable off, as the Feyenoord midfielder played a glorious 30-yard pass to Robin van Persie to chest down and slam into the net. Is this a glimpse into the future at United?
The Dutch Xavi is the most commonly used way of describing Clasie, and although he is not yet of the Barcelona maestro’s standard, it is clear the 22-year-old is a huge prospect. Sitting just in front of the Feyenoord back four, Clasie is excellent at breaking up play, and then moving the ball forward, like a metronome in midfield.
With Feyenoord qualifying for the Champions League, Clasie, who was made club captain last season, has pledged his future to the Rotterdam side. However could the midfielder resist a move to Old Trafford this summer?
Daley Blind
Ajax’s Mr versatile, Daley Blind’s form over the last two seasons has been remarkable.
Once criticized by the Ajax faithful, Blind was named as the clubs player of the year last season after some excellent displays at left back. This season, Blind was turned into a defensive midfielder by coach Frank de Boer, in what turned out to be a masterstroke, with the 24-year-old being named Dutch footballer of the year.
Son of Ajax legend, and Netherlands assistant Danny Blind, Daley is also a key part of the Dutch national team, and the man seen by Louis van Gaal as the perfect replacement for the injured Kevin Strootman in the heart of midfield.
Blind is expected to depart the Amsterdam Arena this summer, and the club that captures him, may just be making the coup of the summer.
Other less likely options:
- PSV winger Memphis Depay, given his national team debut by Van Gaal. Huge prospect but very raw. Move may be premature.
- Arjen Robben was brought to Bayern Munich by Van Gaal, and he could bring him to Manchester. Lack of Champions League, and Bayern’s unwillingness to sell makes unlikely.
- When Wesley Sneijder joined Galatasaray, Louis van Gaal said it was a mistake, and that he should move to Chelsea to play in the Premier League. Now Van Gaal is a Premier League coach, will he finally bring the midfielder to England?
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