After the failure to reach the 2018 World Cup, Netherlands upcoming friendlies with Scotland and Romania were a chance to experiment with some fresh faces. However, Donny van de Beek and Sergio Padt are the only two uncapped players called up by Dick Advocaat. Below are five players who could have been given a chance.

  • By Michael Bell
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Wout Weghorst

With Vincent Janssen, Jurgen Locadia and Bas Dost all pulling out of the squad through injury, Advocaat had the chance to try out a new striker over the next week and there isn’t any in the Netherlands more in form than AZ’s Wout Weghorst.

The 25-year-old has seven goals and two assists in eleven Eredivisie games so far with AZ currently sitting fourth in the league.

The lanky striker may have a questionable disciplinary record but he always gives 100% and is constantly a pain in the neck for defenders with his bullish attitude. Weghorst had his best game of the campaign so far at the weekend, despite being sent off late on, but was overlooked in the squad for Luuk de Jong, who finally netted his first goal in over 1000 minutes as PSV beat Twente 4-3 on Sunday.

With the striker position a big issue at the moment, why not give Weghorst the chance to show his worth?

Jeffrey Gouweleeuw

Ever since his breakthrough into the AZ Alkmaar first team, Gouweleeuw has been earmarked as a potential Dutch international. However, the 26-year-old centre-back is still waiting for his first call-up.

Gouweleeuw now performs week in week out with Augsburg and has had a good campaign so far in the Bundesliga, making on average five clearances, 2.3 tackles and 2.9 interceptions per game.

Augsburg currently occupy 10th place in the German top flight and Gouweleeuw’s performances have contributed massively. With Wesley Hoedt pulling out, Gouweleeuw should have been given the chance his performances have earned.

 

Brandley Kuwas

A 25-year-old who plays for Heracles Almelo isn’t usually the type of player getting called up to Oranje, but Kuwas’s performances so far this season have brought him into contention.

The explosive and pacey winger had a great campaign last year and has continued that form into the new season with Kuwas contributing three goals and four assists in eight games so far as Heracles sit ninth. Kuwas also completes on average 4.1 dribbles per game, and has a reputation of scoring spectacular goals, like the winner against Ajax in the opening round of the season.

Kuwas may have one cap for the Curacao national team but can still switch to the Netherlands should he get the call. However, it seems he may have to wait until a move to a bigger club, which may come in January with teams from home and abroad keeping a keen eye on the forward.

Hans Hateboer

Kenny Tete was the only recognised wing-back in the squad named by Dick Advocaat, but the Lyon star was forced to pull out on Tuesday with Timothy Fosu-Mensah called in instead. It is clear that the national team boss hasn’t been keeping an eye on Atalanta’s matches so far this campaign, because Hateboer has been a regular with the Serie A side and his performances warrant a call-up.

The former Groningen star has dealt well with the step up to the Italian top flight, and has made 13 appearances, including four in the Europa League. Hateboer has been solid defensively but also loves to contribute to the attack at any opportunity.

Surely a starting right-back in a top ten Serie A side deserves a chance in Oranje?

Ridgeciano Haps

Hateboer should have been given a chance at right back, just like Haps should be given a chance at left back.

The 24-year-old was excellent for AZ Alkmaar last season and has since made the step up to Feyenoord, but is still waiting for that maiden call-up. Daley Blind has been first choice at left-back in most of Advocaat’s matches but showed against Sweden that his best position may lie in the midfield.

This opens up the left-back slot for a player such as Haps, Jetro Willems or Erik Pieters but Advocaat has overlooked the trio and instead will choose between Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Nathan Ake.




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