Euro 2020 Profile Netherlands
Number of quality players:
There are a lot of individuals that can change the course of the game for the Netherlands. Forward Memphis Depay is the undoubted star and will be the man to deliver in the big moments with his class. De Jong and De Ligt are world class, Scudetto winner Inter’s Stefan de Vrij is a pillar in the defense. Georginio Wijnaldum who is set to leave Liverpool after his contract ends is another star man, Wijnaldum is a different beast in the Orange and his energy and goal threat from midfield makes him one of the most important men for Netherlands.
Weakness:
De Boer: Ronald Koeman helped the Dutch break the chain of not qualifying for consecutive international competition (2016 Euros & 2018 FIFA World Cup) to make it to the Euro 2020 and also the finals of the 2019 UEFA Nations league before taking the title of Barcelona’s coach. De Boer has struggled to continue the upward trend becoming the first ever Netherlands manager to fail to win any of his first 4 fixtures, however results have improved since there is still a lingering suspicion that De Boer hasn’t got the best out of his players till now.
Wide Concerns: Netherlands full backs are inexperienced at international level and are yet to convince about their consistency. Blind who is expected to start at left back, doesn’t have the pace to contribute offensively while Dumfries is a relative novice at the International stage. Netherlands have also struggled for goals from their wide men. Steven Berghuis has scored just 2 goals in 25 appearances for the Dutch while Quincy Promes has scored just 1 goal in his last 14 matches. The unfortunate withdrawal of first choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen due to Covid is another concern for De Boer going into the tournament.
