Netherlands booked a comfortable 4-0 victory over Estonia on Monday evening. Michael Bell provides his player ratings for the Oranje stars.
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Jasper Cillessen 6.5/10: Only had one save to make during the ninety minutes. A very simple evening for the goalkeeper.
Joel Veltman 6/10: Looked a threat in the opening 10 minutes and went close to scoring. However, he gave away some unnecessary free-kicks and picked up a yellow. Didn’t do enough to convince Koeman he is the man for the right-back position full-time.
Daley Blind 7/10: His assist for Babel got Netherlands off to a good start. Got himself involved in the attack throughout and was untroubled defensively.
Matthijs de Ligt 7/10: A very comfortable evening for the centre-back and he even got himself an assist in setting up Memphis to score the third with a nice pass over the top.
Virgil van Dijk 7/10: Dominant at the back against a poor Estonia side. Really should have scored but his free header went wide.
Frenkie de Jong 7.5/10: Controlled possession throughout the game and got Netherlands moving forward throughout. A very simple evening for the midfielder.
Davy Propper 6.5/10: Steady on the ball and kept Netherlands in possession but did not make the impact he would have wanted after coming into the team in place of Marten de Roon.
Georginio Wijnaldum 7/10: Got another goal with a close range header and put in a steady but not spectacular performance. Was less involved than he was against Germany.
Ryan Babel 8/10: Koeman spoke of Babel’s importance to his side in a press conference on Sunday and the 32-year-old proved him right with two goals. A very impressive international period for the ageing forward.
Donyell Malen 7/10: Got to start for the first time and put in a solid performance on the wing. Troubled the Estonian backline with his pace at times but could not get involved with a goal or assist before being replaced by Berghuis.
Memphis Depay 8.5/10: On his 50th cap for Netherlands, Memphis was once again the star man. Two assists and a lovely goal capped another excellent performance. A superstar when he pulls on a Netherlands shirt!
Substitutes:
Steven Berghuis 6.5/10: Got half-an-hour in place of Malen and looked a threat on the right-wing.
Luuk de Jong N/A: Came on late and made little impact.
Kevin Strootman N/A: Only got a few minutes at the end.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
Veltman 5, Malen 6. Replace the right back. Oranje need target man, give Luuk De Jong a chance to run in starting eleven. Depay play on the wing.
Thought Malen was quite good. Good workrate and links well with his teammates. His interception is what led to the 2nd goal. Needs to work on his finishing a bit but he’s an excellent possible alternative to Promes and Bergwijn.
The same can’t be said for Berghuis. Didn’t take his chance to impress Koeman at all. A needless offside an a terrible attempt at goal from a good position.
Hard to find much to criticize, but Veltman made a couple idiotic challenges whilst already on a yellow card. Hopefully Koeman considers Karsdorp next time, the team needs another option at RB.
Agree we need to find a RB. Dumfries isn’t the answer either.
If DeRoon is playing maybe Babel is an option if Koeman sets up like he did in the first half.
Babel’s not Kuyt but it could work well.
Would like to see Stengs given a go before the campaign comes to an end. Maybe sift Malen to 9 and Depay to 7.
Every match that goes by Weghorst makes a stronger case for himself. He offers a credible aerial threat and is also good on the ball. Why is Koeman so reluctant to give Kluivert a chance. Makes no sense at all. The bottom line is if Germany can strengthen its central defense which will happen eventually, they will win the group because they have better quality up front. The STROOTMAN mystery plays on. Karsdorp or Janmaat are the best options at right back.
It makes perfect sense that Kluivert isn’t being given a chance. He’s been wildly inconsistent for his club and is inexperienced and petulant. He will be a significant downgrade on the other winer options available.
Your posts are filled with nothing but whiny complaints. Give it a rest, the team has made fantastic strides under Koeman and he’s a far better manager than what they’ve had in the past.
You have to give Veltman a break, he was out with the injury and has just got back to regular football. I’m a huge Hateboer fan and have a good always liked Tete and Karsdorp. That being said Karsdorp is still getting up to speed and Tete is finding it hard to lock down playing time and should be demanding a transfer. As for the striker, it seems we are moving more toward a false nine like Bobby Firmino at Liverpool, so with that said Memphis is probably best there for the time being, Luuk and/or Weghorst to come in when we are down a goal when we can curl some into the box, try and get a head on it to get level.
Winjadulm has been brilliant having more an attacking role the with club. Depay might not can rap but why Everton turned him down is mad bc he is so good. Malen is looking good. Everyone is tho I still think Weghorst should be in over Luuk De Jong in a game when don’t want Depay up front alone or w Babel who was Fulham’s best player. But Weghorst could.offer that lil more if need a focal point.
But all & all looking great.