Netherlands ended 2020 and their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win over Poland. Michael Bell provides his player ratings for the Oranje stars.
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Tim Krul 6/10: Could do nothing for the goal, but hardly came into danger and didn’t have to make a save from Lewandowski before he went off. A quiet international period for the Norwich stopper.
Hans Hateboer 3.5/10: It just isn’t working for Hateboer in a Netherlands shirt. Another unconvincing performance from the right-back, who could not impress at the back or upfront. Dumfries looked a vast improvement when he came on.
Patrick van Aanholt 5/10: Wijndal has been excellent this international period, but De Boer gave Van Aanholt a chance to prove himself against Poland. He didn’t really take that chance. He provided a few good passes in the first half but left the defence open at times. Was eventually replaced by Wijndal, who will end the international period as the preferred choice on the left.
Daley Blind 5/10: Looked really poor for the Poland opener and for the chance that hit the post. Improved after that, but Netherlands had to chase the game because of the early errors. Will not be an option at centre-back once De Boer has De Ligt, Van Dijk and Ake back.
Stefan de Vrij 6/10: A solid but not spectacular performance in Poland from the centre-back.
Frenkie de Jong 7.5/10: Worth his weight in gold for Netherlands in the midfield. Starting point for all the attacks and was once again one of the key men in Oranje.
Davy Klaassen 5.5/10: His lack of pace exposed fully by Poland for the opening goal. He improved slightly but seemed to fall over a lot during the game, which caused some issues.
Georginio Wijnaldum 7/10: Won the penalty and scored the winning goal to continue his fine form in front of goal in an Oranje shirt. He will have better performances in Oranje but still an important performance from the captain.
Calvin Stengs 7/10: An eye-catching performance from the AZ Alkmaar winger, who created more chances than any of his teammates before being replaced in the 69th minute. One of the players I want to see more of in Oranje.
Donyell Malen 7/10: Caused Poland problems throughout the game but needs to be more clinical in front of goal. If he can add the finish to his game then Malen is going to be a sensational forward.
Memphis Depay 7.5/10: Lively in the attack but snatched at a few chances before he netted the equaliser from the penalty spot. Was the one Netherlands looked to most during the game and he is still a more convincing central striker than Luuk de Jong.
Substitutes:
Denzel Dumfries 6/10: Came on for Hans Hateboer and looked lively in the half-hour he was on the pitch. Is definitely De Boer’s best option for right-back.
Steven Berghuis 6/10: Came on with twenty minutes to go and provided the assist for the winning goal from a corner. Still awaiting his first goal in Oranje but he contributed
Owen Wijndal 5/10: Got twenty minutes on the pitch to round off an excellent international period for the left-back.
Donny van de Beek 5/10: Contributed very little after coming on. Touched the ball five times in twenty minutes.
Luuk de Jong N/A: Not on the pitch long enough for a review.
Few thoughts after the nations league tournament
1- FDB’s tactics are boring and he can’t read the game well enough to make timely adjustments
2- Hateboer must take a back seat to Dumfries
3- Klaassen is not the answer and is a back up at best
4- no more Babel and Promes, time for the youngsters to play
5- when VVD and MDL return, the defense will be this teams strength with Winjdal on the left and Dumfries on right
6- Midfield of Frenkie, Wijnaldum and Van de Beek (wish Gravenberch played, I imagine he would kill it with Frenkie)
7- use the defense and midfield to set of the offense and finish better, Which is something this team forgot how to do since Koeman left
Hateboer seems lost and rightfully so, he’s not really a RB anymore. He thrives more in the RM role. We also really only have two MF’s that show up consistently and constantly. We have a plethora of CB’s, world class and transfer fee record breaking. We have a CF that may one day break RVP’s goal scoring record if he can remain healthy and who has forgotten how to play the wing. We have no RB, just a choice between the shiniest of turds until somebody steps up or Kenny Tete comes back into contention. We have an up an coming LB who is not as strong defensively but has a lot of offensive upside. We have a lot of young wings and older wings. We have goalkeepers who are better with their feet but are decent shot stoppers. A page out of Cruijff’s book and utilize his 3-4-3 diamond formation that he used at Barça. Cillessen, once healthy and can regain his spot at Valencia. Aké, Virgil and de Ligt. Frenkie as the DM and main person in the build up. Flanked by Wijndal and Hateboer. Wijnaldum in the free roaming AM. Stengs and Malen playing the wings unless somebody else steps up (very possible). And Memphis as our CF. The only issue I can see is that de Ligt will not have enough offensive upside and speed, as the left and right of the back three were more like wing backs, but Aké could definitely hold his own. Ratings wise not wrong, but hardly accurate based on position and role in my opinion, just a few guys looking lost playing in spots that they don’t play regularly.
Bergwijn starting, not Malen. Do like Malen and wish he could start but he’s not at Bergwijn’s level.