The German Bundesliga ended on Saturday with Bayern Munich lifting yet another league title. Michael Bell takes a look at how the Dutchmen in the league fared this season.
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Arjen Robben
Last season Robben hit his peak for Bayern Munich, but that has been followed up by a miserable campaign for the Dutch star, who has been plagued by several injuries. Muscle problems and an adductor issue have limited Robben to just 15 league appearances, in which he has netted four times. Bayern Munich lifted the league title, but Robben was missing for their Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid and was absent for much of Netherlands failed Euro campaign. The 32-year-old will be hoping for an injury-free pre-season so he can hit next season running and reach the form which made him untouchable last season.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Huntelaar started the season in perfect fashion, netting on the opening day of the season, but the striker failed to hit form afterwards and had a frustrating campaign in front of goal. The 32-year-old was almost an ever present for Schalke throughout the season, but only netted 12 times, although three of those were in the final three games which clinched a Europa league spot. It’s clear that Huntelaar is struggling to regain the form which saw him become Bundesliga top scorer in 2012, and he has been linked with a summer move back to Ajax.
Bas Dost
Dost was a revelation in the Bundesliga last season, and he made a great start to this campaign with six goals in Wolfsburg’s first nine games. However, in January Dost suffered a Metatarsal fracture which ruled him out for 11 games. He returned for the last six games and added another goal as Wolfsburg finished the season in a disappointing 8th place. A summer exit from the club has been rumoured with Dost linked with a move to England.
Luc Castaignos
The striker made the move to Germany in the summer from Twente and made an excellent start to the season with four goals in his opening four games. However, Castaignos then failed to score in the next nine games and then missed three months through injury. Castaignos returned in March, but failed to score in Eintracht Frankfurt’s final nine games and will now need to take part in the relegation play-offs to remain in the Bundesliga.
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw
A January signing for Augsburg from AZ Alkmaar, Gouweleeuw has adapted brilliantly to the Bundesliga and has recently been rewarded with a new contract until 2020. Augsburg were in relegation trouble when Gouweleeuw signed, but the club’s form improved after the winter break and only lost three out of the eleven games which Gouweleeuw played. A good first season in Germany for the 24-year-old, and if his form continues next season then a call-up to the Netherlands squad won’t be far behind.
Paul Verhaegh
Augsburg’s captain had another steady and impressive campaign in the German top flight, helping his club survive with six goals in 25 appearances. The right-back has missed seven of the club’s last nine games through a muscle issue but Augsburg reached a respectable 12th place.
Roy Beerens
Beerens has fallen out of favour with Hertha Berlin, and only made two league appearances all season for the club. A summer exit is inevitable for the 28-year-old winger.
Roel Brouwers
The veteran centre-back spent most of the season on the bench for Borussia Monchengladbach, but made eight appearances of which two were starts. His contract is up this summer and Brouwers will become a free agent. A return to the Netherlands is likely for the 34-year-old.
Charlison Benschop
The striker signed for Hannover 96 after an excellent campaign in the German second division last year. However, in the Bundesliga Benschop couldn’t replicate that form and the 26-year-old only made nine appearances for the club which finished bottom of the table. Injuries limited Benschop’s contribution throughout the campaign and Hannover will hope the striker can gain fitness ahead of next season to fire the club back to the top flight.
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