In the next two weeks, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will name his provisional squad of 30 players for this summer’s World Cup, but who should make up those places?
- By Michael Bell
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By Monday the 12th of May, Louis van Gaal will have to submit the names of the 30 players that will make up his provisional squad for the World Cup, before selecting his final 23 to travel to Brazil by June 2nd.
While he agonizes over his selection, i pick my 30 that should make up the squad.
Goalkeepers
Tim Krul, Jasper Cillessen, Michael Vorm, Kenneth Vermeer
Ajax number one Jasper Cillessen seems to be Louis van Gaal’s number one in recent friendly games, but Tim Krul is currently the best Dutch goalkeeper and deserves to start against Spain.
Michael Vorm and Kenneth Vermeer are the best of the rest as Maarten Stekelenburg struggles with form, while Jeroen Zoet is still to make his Netherlands debut. Robbin Ruiter may deserve a call up one day, but he still appears to be off the radar.
Defenders
Daryl Janmaat, Gregory van der Wiel, Daley Blind, Bruno Martins Indi, Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar, Joel Veltman, Virgil van Dijk, Karim Rekik
Joel Veltman has been the most impressive young Dutch defender this season, and he can only improve from having World Cup experience, along with Karim Rekik and Virgil van Dijk. The Celtic man is yet to be called up by Van Gaal, but will he bow to peer pressure and call up the impressive Van Dijk?
Janmaat and Blind have the wing back places all but sown up, while Martins Indi’s flexibility makes him a good option. Vlaar brings the experience to the defence.
Midfielders
Wesley Sneijder, Jordy Clasie, Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart, Davy Klaassen, Marco van Ginkel, Leroy Fer, Stijn Schaars, Jonathan de Guzman
Not having Kevin Strootman on this list is a huge blow for Netherlands, and Van Gaal has a tough task trying to replace the influential Roma man. Marco van Ginkel is the most obvious option, but having missed most of the season, and a lack of first team action makes him a huge risk.
Wesley Sneijder may not be as on form as he was in 2010, but he is still the best option at number 10, with Van der Vaart and Klaassen acting as back up.
Van Gaal will have to decide between De Jong, Schaars, and Clasie for the holding midfield roles, while De Guzman has done well for Swansea in the Premier League.
Forwards
Robin van Persie, Memphis Depay, Arjen Robben, Klaas jan Huntelaar, Jean Paul Boetius, Dirk Kuyt, Siem de Jong, Quincy Promes
Van Persie and Huntelaar are obvious options for the centre forward role, while Van Gaal will probably include Kuyt for experience. Robben is currently on form the most dangerous Dutch player moving forward, and he will start on the right wing. The left winger position is up for grabs, Jeremain Lens is out of form in Ukraine, and shouldn’t be selected, Memphis Depay is a huge talent, along with Jean Paul Boetius and Quincy Promes.
If Siem de Jong can prove his fitness, a role as back up striker or number ten as he is at Ajax could be useful.
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for me, Adam Maher is a must
Very good list. I honestly don’t think I would change anything on this list. I previously had hoped that Georginio Wijnaldum would be on the list, but his back injury really hampered his season. Well done.
Here is my list just for everyone info:
GK-krul,Vorm,vemeer,
Def-Vlaar,Heitinga,Indi,VDW,Janmaat,
De vrij,Pieters,blind, rekik
Mid-Sneijder, Fer, Emanuelson,De Guzman, VDV, Dejong, schaars,Clasie,wijnaldum, maher
Fwd-Robben,Hunterlaar,RVP,Elia,kuyt, depay,promes,siem de jong
It wouldn’t surprise me if Van Gaal plays Daley Blind some at defensive midfielder in the upcoming friendlies. I could see Blind and Clasie being the two holding midfielders. I personally would rather not see Nigel De Jong play. I feel as though De Jong lacks creativity in the midfield and since he has developed a reputation for being a physical player I could see some refs being quick to give him a card. Due to the injury of Jetro Willems this leaves the Dutch pretty shallow at left back so if Daley Blind moves to midfield I could see Bruno Martins Indi moving to left back which would open up a spot for Karim Rekik. I personally prefer a center back combo of Karim Rekik and Stefan de Vrij but it appears as though Van Gaal prefers having Vlaar out there.
Yes, looks like Adam Meher is going to be there although not in good form recently..And can somebody update me why Luciano Narsingh is not being considered anymore..Hasn’t he recovered fully from his injury ?
Sadly Adam Maher has been a disappointment this season. There have been quite a few games where Adam Maher has not been the first team option for PSV. A player that is not a first team option cannot be counted on at the national level especially when the club level is the Eredivisie. I was hoping that either Maher or Vilhena would solidify themselves as the future #10 for the oranje this year. Both players still have vast amounts of potential especially Vilhena, but neither of them is ready this summer. I doubt Sneijder’s relevance in 2016 so hopefully they will both mature before then. If the oranje still play with two holding midfielders after Van Gaal’s departure I am more than happy with the options of a healthy Strootman, Marco Van Ginkel, and Jordie Clasie, but our future ten is yet to be determined in my opinion.
My 23: Cillessen / Krul / Zoet
Janmaat / Van der Wiel / De Vrij / Van Dijk / Veltman / Vlaar / Blind / Kongolo
Nigel de Jong / Clasie / Schaars / Klaassen / Sneijder / Van der Vaart
Robben / Lens / Boëtius / Depay / Van Persie / Huntelaar
Van Gaal’s 23 I think: Cillessen / Vorm / Zoet
Janmaat / Van der Wiel / De Vrij / Vlaar / Martins Indi / Veltman / Blind
Nigel de Jong / Clasie / Schaars / Fer / Sneijder / Van der Vaart / Siem de Jong
Robben / Kuyt / Depay / Huntelaar / Van Persie / Lens
here is my starting 11
———————–Tim Krul——————–
Van Der Wiel. Joel Veltman.Van Dijk. Terence Kongolo
——————–Nigel De ong——————–
———-Wesley Sneijder. Daley Blind————
Arjen Robben ———————- Memphis Depay
———————Van Persie——————-
Though this team looks outrageously inexperienced in defense current form of the players included leave us with no other choice.
here is another option
———————–Tim Krul——————–
Van Der Wiel. Veltman /De vrij/Van Dijk.Martins Indi
——————–Nigel De ong——————–
——-Jordy Clasie/Sneijder/Daley Blind————
Arjen Robben ———————- Memphis Depay
———————Van Persie——————-
Though this team looks outrageously inexperienced in defense current form of the players included leave us with no other choice.