Ok peeps. Here we are. A tremendous milestone. The Definitive 23 are announced!
Zoet, Van Aanholt and the four young Oranje players (Rekik, Promes, Boetius and Vilhena) are exited.
The only surprise maybe van Aanholt, who played a decent second half against Ecuador.
But the Chelsea youngster is known to be difficult to coach and LVG wants players who can think and make decisions. So apparently, Van Gaal thinks Kongolo is further.
Feyenoord is the main supplier with 5 players (just like in the 1974 World Cup) and has a number of ex players in Vlaar, Wijnaldum, De Guzman, Fer, Kuyt and Van Persie.
Now, before we all start screaming and debating, it is a hard job to do and there will always be room for debate. Emanuelson, Promes, Van Dijk, Vlaar, Van Aanholt, Buttner, Pieters, Huntelaar….
Patrick van Aanholt
Huntelaar Schwuntelaar. Van Gaal had to make the call and he has done so. And he was consistent within his own framework.
You can criticise the man for his personality traits (as I have) but he has done a good job considering the circumstances.
I think I would like to say the following, about
The System
I think I called it months ago already, like some of you here, that 4-3-3 would be suicide. Unless, Maher or Wijnaldum or Van Ginkel or Afellay and Strootman were available. But even then… Our defence is not good enough, both defensively as in build up and I thought Wesley would not have the legs anymore. And it still remains to be seen whether he can work hard enough.
So LVG went for 5-3-2. Instead of 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. I think part of it is just Louis not wanting to go to a system he criticised before. 4-2-3-1 has “Bert van Marwijk” written all over it and 4-4-2 has Satan written on it (from Louis’ perspective). And since ManU, Man City, Feyenoord, Juve and many other teams have worked with 5-3-2, why not try it with Oranje.
It basically means: more bodies at the back and smaller spaces to defend, while offering more space to run into upfront. We have the full backs for it so why not?
With Sneijder being a bit more protected and not having to work as much (he’ll play from the left flank, with RVP up centrally and Robben hovering from the right but in a free role.
The idea is that Kongolo and Janmaat (or whoever plays the flank) will be able to overlap and become forwards. Depending on the set up of the opponent, even BMI could use these attacks to come up front with his heading capabilities as it does seem our midfield will be on the small side, in terms of height. Sneijder will have De Jong next to him for sure and Clasie or Blind or De Guzman. With Fer, the attacking power of the midfield increases.
This system can be turned int0 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 in the blink of an eye, which is what we hope to see. Obviously, fitness will be key. Most players do know how to play this and it is now all up to Louis to get the details right.
The Starting Line up
There are many things to consider.
For our goalkeeper, I believe LVG will start with Cillesen. I would start Krul.
The Five at the Back will most likely be: Janmaat de Vrij Vlaar BMI and Blind.
I haven’t seen the training sessions so I don’t know how Kongolo did, but I think I would pick him. He is tall, is a good header and very good defensively. With Kongolo playing, you have the total Feyenoord backline which could be a plus.
The three in midfield are most likely Blind De Jong Sneijder. I hope Fer does well in the sessions as I like to see him in Blind’s place in certain games.
The two upfront: Robben and Van Persie of course, although I can see a change with Depay in the books, where Robben could have the Sneijder role.
The Group Games
I believe we will got through as #1. And I think it’s either Chile or Spain as #2.
I think Spain is a little bit rusty. The players of Spain all had massive seasons and I believe some of them will lack the real desire. Holland will play as if they are replaying the 2010 finals and we will win this, with a masterful Sneijder and Robben.
In the second game, Spain will have to attack Chile, who will have beaten Australia. Chile will absorb the pressure and counter attack to a win. I can see Chile make it as number 2. We will beat Australia and get the full victory over Chile as these lads are already happy to be through and Oranje is on a roll.
Against Spain we play Clasie in midfield, against Australia we play Fer and against Chile it’s Blind.
We will avoid Brazil in the knock out stages. We get Mexico instead and do away with them too.
By then, the world is starting to pay attention. The streets in Holland already are going berserk.
Next up Italy, and it becomes scary. Penalties will bring joy to Holland.
Then it’s Germany, whom we beat severely only to play Brazil in the finals of the tournament.
Who have lost two key players by then as a result of suspensions. We have lost Nigel de Jong and Ron Vlaar. The pressure is on. The whole nation (and world) want to see Brazil play samba football and win it.
Terence Kongolo
But it’s Holland that dominates against a tense and choking Brazil.
We play a 5-3-2:
Krul
Lens De Vrij Veltman BMI Depay
Clasie
Fer Sneijder
Robben Van Persie
We have more possession and dominate the game, and score a fine goal (Robben) in the 30st minute.
Brazil needs to start coming and get more and more freedom. Their attacks are slow and predictable. We use the passing of Clasie and Sneijder to reach Lens, Depay, Robben and RVP. The latter scores 2-0 in the second half, Battleworn Fer will be replaced by De Guzman and Sneijder makes way for Kongolo. Robben start to play in Sneijder’s role Depay joins RVP upfront and scores the third goal. A late penalty gets Brazil on the board but Holland has wiped out a dramatic World Cup history with a sensational win in Brazil against the record holding Cup winners….
Van Gaal gets crowned King of the World and is so happy that he loses his voice and can only pursue further coaching at Man United via a megaphone attached to his throat.
Hiddink resigns from team manager as he won’t be able to top Louis and Danny Blind gets the job.
After the win, everyone wants to become part of Dutch Total Football Mark II.
Krul > AC Milan
Vorm> Liverpool
Janmaat> Arsenal
BMI> Man U
De Vrij> Liverpool
Vlaar>Everton
Fer>Everton
Clasie> Man United
Nigel de Jong>Barcelona
Sneijder>Tottenham
Depay>ManUnited
Lens>AC Milan
(Danny BLind will coach the team to the European Trophy in 2016 but I will write about that one later….)