We all needed a bit of a football break after the World Cup, I imagine.
For me work got in the way. Things are really taking off with my new business so I am struggling to find some free time. I am also expanding our home with an extra room and taking up a little bit too much work maybe…. All good though…
It’s going to settle down soon and Oranje will start as well, so all good.
I have shared with you many times that I don’t like the transfer periods too much. Clubs like Feyenoord will have to qualify for CL football while their best players are being sold off and the frantic behaviour of the transfer market can be seen reflected in the way clubs perform.
Man United’s start. Ajax’ start. Feyenoord’s start. Bayern, Barca, Real… I get a little nervous of it all.
I have soooo much talent in my squad….
So now it’s Sept 1 and we can focus on the real deal.
I am not going to comment to much on all the transfer shenanigans although I did hope that Van Ginkel would join Ajax. Ajax seems to have missed the boat (Van Ginkel, Mokotjo) however and this will not be a good season for them, I fear. Feyenoord will see this season as a building up season, with Rutten digging into the club and young players like Vilhena, Boetius and even Elvis Manu stepping up to the plate. I personally am happy with El Ahmadi returning to Rotterdam, although he decided to go for Morrocco of course and Toornstra in De Kuip is a good thing too. I also read that Ken Vermeer might make his way to Feyenoord which would be quite good of course.
Despite all this, and despite Clasie remaining in Rotterdam, this season will be PSV’s. I think Cocu will have his grip tightly on the team now and Maher, Wijnaldum and Depay will make the difference. Don’t rule out Narsingh either, of course.
Internationally, anything can happen. In England it seems Chelsea has the most going for them although Liverpool might actually win it again, what with Balotelli joining Rodgers’ team.
Afellay hasn’t played in Oranje for two years. Since his injury 48 new players made their debut
Van Gaal will need a season or two to rebuild Man United and lets hope he gets that time.
Bayern will rule Europe for another year, I think and we might see PSG stepping up to challenge the Germans for real. Real Madrid will also claim the Best Club of the World title, if they can.
As for Oranje, what will the year bring. It is an interesting time. Hiddink at the helm, I don’t think it can go wrong. Not that he will add much brilliance, but he will bring stability and reason. The decision to get Orlando Trustfull into the Zeist camp is interesting. The former Feyenoord midfielder impressed as a youth coach at Ajax and like Prandelli for Italy, he might be the ideal man to take over from Danny Blind in 8 to 10 years. Why not? Club coaches and federation coaches are simply different beasts.
Coming man Orlando Trustful
So we start with a friendly against Italy. Great. I love playing Italy. They’re shrewd. Tough. Tactically smart. A real game to start with. This qualifications will not be a big challenge for Oranje. The number 1 and 2 will go to the Euros. Even the best number 3s will have a chance. And we’re in a group in which we should easily finish first.
This allows Hiddink to build towards a strong team. Van Gaal put the foundation in, using his typical “in your face” approach. Van Gaal allowed Blind, Vlaar, De Vrij and the likes of Depay and Clasie to step up and according to their (new) club mates, these players have been able to hang on to their new level.
Hiddink will probably further develop the confidence of his youngsters and will create a vibe in which young and old can flourish. He will cut slack for the veterans whilst pumping up the bravado amongst the talents.
I can totally see players like Clasie, Maher and Van Wolfswinkel or Castaignos benefit from his approach.
Hiddink has uttered the same words as his predecessors, claiming that without a starting berth at their clubs, they can forget a starting position in Oranje. The usual talk. But Hiddink will use these rules in a flexible manner.
Marco playing vs Italy and in Italy?
Arjen Robben, Rafa van der Vaart and Klaas Jan Huntelaar will not be present when Oranje meets the Azurri. The Hunter has the flu while Robben and Van der Vaart got injured in the last week. Van der Vaart will surely make his return in Oranje just like veteran Dirk Kuyt was checked for his interest in the jersey. Hiddink: “Kuyt might be 34 years old but he feels sharp and strong and at the World Cup he demonstrated his value yet again. He will be of value to us, both on and off the pitch.”
This Dutch squad will only grow stronger. Robben, Huntelaar, De Jong, Van Persie and Sneijder are still not on their decline. Van der Vaart might be but he can still be off value, what with his class. Same applies to Kuyt. With Strootman and Van der Wiel returning in the future and the return of Van Ginkel, it will be quite busy in the dressing room.
If we assume that De Vrij, Vlaar, Martins Indi, Blind, Fer, Wijnaldum, Depay, Janmaat and De Guzman keep developing and growing and players like Van Rhijn, Maher, Narsingh, Van Aanholt, Buttner, Siem de Jong, Bruma and Rekik will knock on the door of the Dutch team we are up for a hot couple of years.
Narsingh to replace Robben
We know Ajax is developing more talent (Kishna, Klaassen) and the Oranje youth teams are brimming with talent.
It takes a wise old sly fox like Hiddink to keep ‘m all in check. And Guus Hiddink is the perfect guy for the job.
I think it’s about time we start winning some silverware again!