Danny Blind’s Netherlands selection for the ties with Bulgaria and Italy have once again raised some eyebrows among Oranje supporters. Michael Bell looks at some of the key questions surrounding the squad.
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Why pick three right-backs and no cover on the left?
One of the strangest decisions by Blind is the inclusion of Ajax right-back Kenny Tete who has found himself rooted to the bench for most of this season, with Joel Veltman preferred by Peter Bosz. There is no doubt that Tete is a talented full-back, but with Veltman and Karsdorp in the squad, why was he picked instead of a second left-back?
Daley Blind is the only recognised left-back in the squad, with Jetro Willems and Terence Kongolo not selected, while Blind continues to ignore Premier League regulars Erik Pieters and Patrick van Aanholt.
Surely selecting another recognised left-back makes more sense than trusting Nick Viergever or Bruno Martins-Indi in the position, should Blind get injured?
Did De Ligt deserve call-up over Nathan Ake?
It’s great to see Matthijs de Ligt given a call-up at the age of 17, but does the Ajax youngster really warrant his place in the squad?
De Ligt has only played a handful of first-team games for Ajax and although he has been more than impressive, Blind had other options for the centre-back spot. Jan-Arie van der Heijden can make a shout for a call-up given his form for league leaders Feyenoord this season, but another man who has been ignored is Nathan Ake.
Ake had an outstanding start to the season for Bournemouth and was arguably one of the Premier League’s top defenders. However, he seems to have been ignored after his loan was cut short and he returned to Chelsea. Ake could have added more experience than De Ligt and offered back-up to the left-back slot.
Where is the defensive midfielder?
Netherlands face a tricky and must win tie in Bulgaria but Blind doesn’t think he needs a defensive midfielder in his squad. Oranje are well known to struggle for cover in front of their defence, but Blind has decided not to call-up Maarten de Roon, who has done well at Middlesbrough, while Jordy Clasie and Riechedly Bazoer have also been overlooked.
It appears that Blind will go with three from Davy Klaassen, Wesley Sneijder, Georginio Wijnaldum and Kevin Strootman, with one of those expected to drop deep which is not their usual style.
What has happened to the PSV Eindhoven spine?
Last season PSV lifted their second straight Eredivisie title and the Netherlands squad was littered with players from the Eindhoven club. However, Blind’s latest squad highlights just how poorly PSV are performing in this campaign with only one of their players, Jeroen Zoet, selected.
That means recent call-ups Davy Propper, Jetro Willems, Siem de Jong, Luuk de Jong, Marco van Ginkel, and Joshua Brenet have all been overlooked by Blind.
Most of those decisions can be justified, except possibly Davy Propper, who has been one of the star performers for PSV this season.
Who is the Netherlands number one?
One of the biggest issues the Dutch side currently face is who will start between the posts against Bulgaria. Jasper Cillessen and Michel Vorm have both been called-up despite the fact they are second choice at their clubs and have only played a handful of games between them this season.
That leaves PSV number one Jeroen Zoet as the logical choice to start between the posts, but he has yet to convince in an Oranje shirt and hasn’t looked as convincing for his club during this campaign. He made headlines all over Europe after his error in the defeat to Feyenoord which all but ended their title chances.
Blind has constantly rotated the number one shirt recently with Cillessen, Zoet and Maarten Stekelenburg all swapping it in recent games. Who will he choose on the 25th of March?
MESSAGE: Make sure to follow our new Twitter account @foot_oranje while @football_oranje remains suspen
Blind needs to quit.
Well…who do you start? For me:
Cillessen
Blind-Hoedt-de Vrij-Karsdorp
Wijnaldum Strootman
Sneijder
Robben Promes Depay
Blind is going to use a different formation against Bulgaria
We always think/hope but he never does!
Netherlands national team football will continue to be in decline while Blind and those who are advising him continue in their positions.
This squad says it all.
Just a few points.
Ake being left out is a joke. When the Dutch side is challenging at the top of world football again Ake will be there. He needs to be in the squad to learn and develop, to become a leader, so he is established when players like Van de Beek and Nouri finally make it through. He could easily be given some time in the left back position.
How is PVA not in the squad? What message is this sending to him and other players-picking a young Ajax player, not playing regularly (miles behind a player like Ake) speaks volumes about the current state of affairs.
And to play the broken record again-Dutch football will not complete at the highest level while Blind is left back. Its not that he’s not a good player its just that he’s too slow and gets turned too easily by top class players. And you can’t afford to have that. Yes you can adjust your strategy/formation to accommodate Blind’s weakness, but why restrict the team from what it is capable of; it is anti Dutch football. Not only that but the problem is compounded by playing WS in left midfield. The whole left side is defensively weak. Don’t expect Depay to do the job either. This is where team will attack and beat us if clever and able enought to play wide on both sides at pace.
Finally, the squad suggests that the most in form talented player, GW, will be playing defensive mid beside Strootman. Again this severely restricts the play. Without going into the multitude of reasons why, consider that DB could be playing 9 if GW was playing 10 ie to make up for the lack of pace in and around the box. GW will not have much opportunity to do this if he is on defensive duties.
Team I would play
GK: Zoet
RB: Karsdorp
CB: Hoedt
CB: de Vrij
RB: PVA/JW/EP
6: Clasie (bc he’s the only bulldog type player we seem to have)
8: Vilhena (partner Clasie to give extra bite, have to play more defensively)
10: Wijnaldum
9: Das Bost (RVP/Jansen to come on)
11: Robben
7: Promes
Bench: Ake, Blind, De Roon, Sneijder, Depay, RVP/Jansen,
Strootman to be considered next season.