My dear friends, more apologies from me. I know, it’s becoming a pattern and I’m sorry, but life at this moment doesn’t allow me to write more. Once the Oranje fever is coming up and we get closer to the Euros, you will see more of me. Just busy with work, with set up of a new company, with lots of limitations due to Covid, lower back problems, travel interstate in Oz, etc etc.
But, the pre-selection for the next three friendlies triggered me to pick up the keyboard again. Lets start with comments on the pre-selection and do a quick and dirty overview of the lads, while I prep for some more insightful articles soon again.
Frank de Boer’s pre-selection had some surprises for some and some omissions for others…
The big name missing for me, is Rick Karsdorp. The AS Roma man just renewed his contract with this club until 2025 and he is becoming one of the key players in Fonseca’s plans. The three times capped ex Feyenoord marathon man could be the ideal right full back, but Frank de Boer ignored him. Would he done this if Karsdorp was an Ajax old boy, one wonders?
The inclusions of Maarten Stekelenburg at 38 years surprised people, but not me. I have followed his career (EPL) and remember him playing a sensational match for Everton v Man City a couple of seasons ago, and he still had it. Stopped two penalties! Everton could secure Pickford, England’s number 1, and obviously, the 35 year old Stekelenburg had to make way.
But, in the words of Rafael van de Vaart, he is the second best goalkeeper Oranje ever had (Edwin van de Sar being the #1). “Maarten is technically the best. He has everything. Feet, good in the air, great reflexes and a good vocal coach”, said Rafa recently. “But he is too laid back. He doesn’t care about the jet set life, he likes a cigarette and a beer and is a bit of a stoic.”
If being 18 year young is old enough when you are good enough, than 38 years is young enough, right? He plays really well for Ajax, he has loads of experience and he won’t make a fuss if he needs to be the 2nd or 3rd goalie.
And lets face it… Bizot? He is all over the place recently. Drommel and Bijlow need some more miles and Cillesen only came back into first team playing time recently. Frank de Boer will most likely pick Cillesen as #1 and spot 2 and 3 are open.
Jeremiah St Juste is a surprise inclusion too. I haven’t seen much of him, but what I hear about him is that he can be a bit wild and unfocused at times. Why not Gouweleeuw? Other than that, I think De Boer picked the right lads. Tete does ever so well at Fulham, Veltman to my big surprise does great at Brighton. Was Man of the Match recently and scored even! I personally rate Perr Schuurs higher than st Juste, but like I said, I haven’t seen him play recently.
In midfield, Donny van de Beek is in but will only be called up to help him get fit, as he is currently sidelined with an injury. Gravenberch deserves to start, for me. What a player. Him, Frenkie and Gini in midfield. Strootman back is logical in a way, but unnecessary, for me. I rather see Toon Koopmeiners, Propper or Schouten of Bergamo there. But Koopmeiners is called up for the Young Oranje team which have some key games to play. Same is for Boadu and Noa Lang, the latter might well be the right winger we need for the Euros, by the way.
I would also love to see Bazoer back. He’s amazing for Vitesse, in a free role from the back (I compare him with the likes of Scirea or Beckenbauer). He does play in a back 5, so maybe doesn’t “fit” in Oranje. He also recently had another explosion of anger towards his coach which might have prompted Frank to bypass him.
In attack, Ryan Babel apparently is on good form currently, good on him. Stengs is underperforming and doesn’t deserve to be in the squad. Bergwijn also hasn’t played for weeks due to an injury.
Mo Ihatarren is not in the pre-squad and that is quite logical. The young talent is going through a torrid time at PSV, where the club even issued a statement to the media, saying that after everything the club, the coaches and the players have done for him he still isn’t improving his conduct, and therefore was removed – temporarily – from the squad. By now, he’s back, but rumours of him making a move to Ajax won’t make things better.
But no matter how you look at it, Ihatarren doesn’t deserve a spot. I like to think that Gakpo – now injured – is in front of him.
March 19 is the final selection.
I’m hoping that Frank experiments with a back 5, maybe in the Gibraltar game for a half. I think it’s a viable option, especially since we have so many talented CB’s at the moment.
It will be interesting to see what role Frank uses for Frenkie. Koeman plays him typically as a 6 in a double pivot, but against PSG actually had him slide back into the back line so that the wingbacks could push forward. I think Gravenberch is a good option as an 8.
My ideal line-up would be:
—————Stekelenburg—————
–
——-Van Dijk——–De Vrij————
-Karsdrop——–de Ligt———–Blind–
–
———-Frenkie——-Gravenberch——-
–
—Stengs——–Malen———–Depay
When the wingbacks push forward, Depay drops into the 10 role and the remaining defenders become a back 4, for example:
–Karsdrop–van Dijk–De Ligt–De Vrij
–
——–Frenkie—-Gravenberch——–
–
–Stengs——Memphis——–Blind
–
————–Malen—————–
This is of course assuming that VVD is fit. If not we could play a 4-3-3 and just utilise an additional midfielder like Gini.
I like it. I don’t see it in Stengs at the moment and Karsdrop is a licorice type, the guy is Karsdorp :-). But I agree on the back 3 situation.
I like that lineup; my one tweak would be have Wijnaldum on for Stengs…drop into the MF behind Malen and Depay; you’d have three multi-talented mf’s who can interchange at will; keeps the mf a little more compact. Even without VVD, I’d be comfortable with a back three of Ake, De ligt and De Vrij.
Ya I was thinking that too, playing a 5-3-2 rather than a 5-2-3. The only thing is that with our strikers below par, I don’t know how I feel about two 9’s or a 9/10 situation. But it’s definitely doable.
My thinking is that Wijnaldum is a better, more versatile player than Stengs at the moment. I ‘d like to see what a MF of him, De Jong and Gravenberch looks like. I can see them causing alot of confusion, because all can run, pass, score and play defense, so defenses won’t necessarily know where the runs from the mf are coming from. Plus, I think Wijnaldum has the majority of the NT’s goals over the last 5-6 games
I’m just thinking back to the last time Holland played with a front 2, under van Basten in the lead up to Euro 2008. It was not pretty.
@Derekvdberg, I think it is just adapting to the strengths of the players. In the 2014 WC, they essentially played a 5-3-2, that worked well…But of course one of the front 2 was Robben (who was probably the best player in that WC). So it doesn’t really tell you much.
I guess my feeling is that I wouldn’t want to leave one of De Jong, Gravenberch and Wijnaldum on the bench. That could be a superb midfield in any formation.
Karsdorp is playing good at the moment with Roma. His omission is puzzling. Is he really worse off than Veltman and Tete?
When you have the house full of ajax fraternity this is what you get.
Schouten also deserved to be in the squad.
Since when did Serie A lost its competitive status.
https://youtu.be/JqpuzNZ2JKM
Danjuma continues with his scoring streak.
I would think Gravenberch and Stengs be playing in first eleven for coming qualifiers, else they would have been prioritized to the U21.
I see a strong first 11, but a weak bench from the latest selection. I see the bench at the U21 team. If they eventually returned for the Euros, that will be great. ☺️🤞
This is where they are bound to get pegged especially with big nations with quality depth.
The argument of small country with not enough quality players is just bullshit when the selectors simply cant get it right.
Its very very hard seeing NT win anything when you have the current type management under their helm making choices which already has the bell ringing before even the ball gets kicked.
Guess just have to go with the flow.
Just watched Southampton vs Brighton game. Veltman put up a solid performance at RB and LB (in the 2nd half).
I seriously dont understand how come people are thinking of having both Gravenberch and Frenkie play together. Gravenverch is no Busquets, so to have frenkie deployed on the right (8) like the current set up at barcelona. pedri, Busquets and Frenkie.
Gravenberch’s Tackling is weak and with no van dijk and either of blind or Wijnadal starting at Lb, that channel will become a weak point.
as much as Gravenberch brings more offensive threats going forward, dribbling and in terms of long shots from outside of the box, defensively he often goes stray on occasions such as during counters. this has happened in Ajax’s CL games.
it can be experimented with the Gibraltar and Lativa game but with big teams it could be a cause for concern.
@Wilson, I understand where you are coming from. Gravenberch is a little bit of colt running out to pasture at times, but I think he has improved on his positional responsibility and awareness as the season has progressed, and I think that he is a better defender than you give him credit for. But we can have different opinions.
Question, then, who would you like to see as the 3 mf’s for the Turkey match? (Assuming that FDB plays 4-3-3.)
not my choice but they have go with frenkie- wijndlum and de Roon. proven to some extent and given the trio have played together a lot. if they are winning then bring on gravenberch.
I think that is the lineup De Boer will pick; he’ll go safety and experience first for such an important match played in Istanbul.
Spain squad
Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Pedro Porro (Sporting), Eric Garcia (Man City), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Diego Llorente (Leeds United), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Luis Gaya (Valencia)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Man City), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Pedri (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Canales (Real Betis), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Forwards: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Man City), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Bryan Gil (Eibar), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig).
England U21 squad
Goalkeepers: Josh Griffiths (Cheltenham Town), Josef Bursik (Stoke City), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Marc Guehi (Swansea), Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth), Ryan Sessegnon (Hoffenheim), Steven Sessegnon (Bristol City), Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham), Ben Wilmot (Watford)
Midfielders: Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Oliver Skipp (Norwich), Tom Davies (Everton), Conor Gallagher (West Brom), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
Forwards: Ebere Eze (Crystal Palace), Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Noni Madueke (PSV Eindhoven), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Germany u21
Goalkeepers:
Markus Schubert, Frankfurt (on loan from Schalke 04)
Finn Dahmen, Mainz
Lennart Grill, Leverkusen
Defenders:
Josha Vagnoman, Hamburger SV
David Raum, Greuther Fürth
Nico Schlotterbeck, Union Berlin
Amos Pieper, Bielefeld
Stephan Ambrosius, Hamburger SV
Ismail Jakobs, FC Köln
Malick Thiaw, Schalke 04
Maxim Leitsch, Bochum
Ridle Baku, Wolfsburg
Midfielders/strikers:
Niklas Dorsch, Gent
Youssoufa Moukoko, Dortmund
Arne Maier, Bielefeld (on loan from Hertha BSC)
Jonathan Burkardt, Mainz
Lukas Nmecha, Anderlecht (on loan from Manchester City)
Mergim Berisha, RB Salzburg
Salih Özcan, FC Köln
Anton Stach, Greuther Fürth
Florian Krüger, Erzgebirge Aue
Vitaly Janelt, Bochum
Mateo Klimowicz, Stuttgart
Jong Orange squad.
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Maarten Paes (FC Utrecht), Kjell Scherpen (Ajax).
Defenders : Mitchel Bakker (Paris Saint-Germain), Sven Botman (Lille), Danilo Doekhi (Vitesse), Tyrell Malacia (Feyenoord), Perr Schuurs (Ajax), Jordan Teze (PSV), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Deyovaisio Zeefuik (Hertha BSC).
Midfielders: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Ajax), Abdou Harroui (Sparta Rotterdam), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ), Ludovit Reis (VfL Osnabrück), Dani de Wit (AZ).
Forwards : Myron Boadu (AZ), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Javairô Dilrosun (Hertha BSC), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Ferdi Kadioglu (Fenerbahçe), Justin Kluivert (RB Leipzig), Noa Lang (Club Brugge)
this is the type of squad you wanna see in NT. I have looked at other big teams and must say this squad has everything to win the final but im not sure Van der looi as a coach can pull it off.
not really sure about dilrousn , he hasnt featured for hertha for quite sometime now.
ops, he featured vs Dortmund last weekend.
I read that AD headlined the U21 team as the Dream team. Excited to see if the team lives up to its promise. A prelude to the Euro20 in June. ☺️
http://www.football-oranje.com/netherlands-u21-squad-confirmed-for-european-championships/
Powerful french u21 and favorites as well
GK: Alban Lafont (Nantes), Illan Meslier (Leeds United), Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier)
DEF: Colin Dagba (PSG), Benoit Badiashile (Monaco), Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig), Wesley Fofana (Leicester City), Faitout Maouassa (Rennes), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Pierre Kalulu (AC Milan), Jules Kounde (Sevilla)MID: Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal/Hertha Berlin), Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco), Boubacar Kamara (Marseille), Romain Faivre (Brest), Boubakary Soumaré (Lille), Houssem Aouar (Lyon), Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)
ATT: Odsonne Edouard (Celtic), Randal Kolo Muani (Nantes), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Jonathan Ikone (Lille), Amine Gouiri (Nice)
https://youtu.be/vHCd5ooAdwQ
A masterclass from danjuma.
Malen(boadu)
Depay- Lang
Danjuma-wijnaldum-Koopmeiners-Karsdorp
Frenkie-De Vrij-De Ligt
Krul
This is the best I can think of.
Wow, all I can say is thank you that you are not the coach! But I give you credit for creativity!! This is a great team for computer games.
You are welcome.
De Vrij out. Covid. I’m hoping Ake will be healthy. Otherwise, who plays next to De ligt? Botman? St Juste?
Some more injuries would be fanastic. FdB will have no choice but to recall those who missed out.
well this is not some thing new. when ever there has been injuries, the ground starts trembling.
lol, Wilson, I don’t know about the ground trembling, but, and you can call me silly, I’d rather they not have to play Turkey in Istanbul with 2 out of their top three (and 3/4 if Ake is not healthy) CB’s out…
I would say the forwards simply need to be sharp and raise their level and incase they get pegged at the back they can compensate for that in front.
Well this is the time for Mr Versatily (Blind) after being given the benefit of doubt for so many years now to prove they can fill in the big shoes.Certainly not my choice, given his vulnerability and this is where it gets real.
Botman and De Ligt could be solid option imo. Bit of gamble with Botman but both are rugged defenders and if the forwards can raise their level of game which again depending on whoever is in which form, could bring a good balance in the formation. This is also where FDB selection of Babel,Promes,Berghuis and bergwijn will come to light.
2010 should still be fresh. Heitinga and Mathijsen
England full squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Nick Pope (Burnley)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Strikers: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Full Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Rui Patrício (Wolves), Rui Silva (Granada)
Defenders: João Cancelo (Manchester City), Cédric Soares (Arsenal), Domingos Duarte (Granada), Pepe (FC Porto), José Fonte (Lille), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Nuno Mendes (Sporting)
Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (PSG), João Palhinha (Sporting), Rúben Neves (Wolves), João Moutinho (Wolves), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Renato Sanches (Lille), Sérgio Oliveira (FC Porto)
Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Pedro Neto (Wolves), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Rafa Silva (Benfica), João Félix (Atlético Madrid), André Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Portugal U21 squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), João Virgínia (Everton), Luís Maximiano (Sporting)
Defenders:
Diogo Leite (FC Porto), Diogo Queirós (Famalicão), Diogo Dalot (Milan), Pedro Pereira (Crotone), Thierry Correia (Valencia), Tiago Djaló (Lille), Tomás Tavares (Farense)
Midfielders:
Daniel Bragança (Sporting), Fábio Vieira (FC Porto), Filipe Soares (Moreirense), Florentino Luís (Monaco), Gedson Fernandes (Galatasaray), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting), Vítor Ferreira (Wolves)
Forwards: Dany Mota (Monza), Trincão (Barcelona), Francisco Conceição (FC Porto), Jota (Valladolid), Rafael Leão (Milan), Tiago Tomás (Sporting)
France squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (Fulham, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Lille)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
After ajax vs atalanta game which send ajax to eufa Cup
Ajax get 4 wins and 1.6 points for eredivise. Atalanata just get 2 lose and 0 point for Italy. So now we understand why eufa Cup is better option for ajax and eredivise coefficient.
Ajax-Roma now and if we were to beat them then we face Man United in the semifinals.
Weghorst not selected in the final 23 men from De Boer. Babel who has only started 8-9 matches for Galatasaray and De Jong who rarely starts for Sevilla are selected instead. Looking at our selection I think we will not beat Turkey the first game and starting well is crucial at a group where both Turkey and Norway will be tough opponents.
At least no Strootman, Vilhena, Promes and Hateboer.
Hoping for further upgrades to Klaassen, Babel, Luuk De Jong…in the form of Koopmeiners, Danjuma, Weghorst.
Ajax draw Roma and it’s not too bad of a draw. Honestly I would say it’s a pretty 50/50 contest over two legs, if not leaning more towards Ajax. Certainly with Onana I would have picked Ajax.
In terms of coefficient, Roma is one spot ahead of Ajax, but even with two wins Ajax won’t pass them.
Now that we’re in 7th, it will be important to have a good year next to maintain the position, before our abysmal 2017-18 points drop off and we have a chance to move up. In 2017-18, Holland finished 28th in terms of coefficient points, behind heavyweights such as North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
I think by 2022-23 we’ll be putting pressure on Portugal for the extra CL spot. Playing the Europa League is best for our clubs at the moment.
Did anyone see the Ajax game yesterday? Not much to it, except I am more lost than ever as to what is and what is not a handball. If someone can explain to me the difference between the handball that was deemed not a penalty against Alvarez (after review) and the one that was called on the YB defender (also after review), I will be eternally grateful.
It’s subjective, but the two things to consider are whether the arms are in a natural position (it should be within the silhouette of the body) and the other thing officials are considering is the time to react. Since Alvarez had no time to react, and his arms were in a natural position it wasn’t deemed a handball, but on the other defender his arms were in an unnatural position and had more time to react as the ball had slowed down off the goalkeeper.
Is Netherlands the national football team or is it the retired club? Van de Beek, Bergwijn did not play for their club a month or so and get called up. And then FDB choose Babel and Luuk over Weghorst. Both barely played at club level while Weghorst carry Wolfsburg to 3rd place in Bundesliga. I understand if he want to give support to a player or so if he truly believe in him but calling up a bunch of out of form and over the hill players to give support to them in WC qualifiers match. This is insane.
And then there is questionable decision like Tete over Karsdorp, Veltman over Struijk. This national team is run like a private club. Did he know that Belgium want to call Strujk to their national team? Did he know that Roma is in Europa League Quarter final while Fullham is fighting relegation? I doubt he know, I doubt he follow club football at all. At this rate, I can guess his selection in December or so. Maybe just let the stupid player council run it then. If he stay here, I expect another Danny Blind era is coming. We will see the next Ziyech soon.
I agree with almost everything you wrote Kevin and like I said on my previous comment I see us losing in Turkey on our first WC qualifying game which will make it very challenging for us to qualify if that happens. Honestly though I expect nothing more!
I’m hoping for a 0-0 draw, would be a great result.
I think we would still qualify given the quality he has this time but we will get roasted at any Euros/World Cup and then waste the potential of this talented generation.
You underestimating Norway.
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Football: Norway names squad for Turkey clash
Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, Martin Linnes listed in Norwegian football team for World Cup European Qualifying game
Mutlu Demirtastan |
12.03.2021
Football: Norway names squad for Turkey clash
ISTANBUL
Norway’s national football team on Friday announced its squad to play against Turkey in their 2022 World Cup European Qualifying game.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and RB Leipzig’s Alexander Sorloth, along with Galatasaray’s Martin Linnes have been called to the Norwegian squad for the Turkey game.
The match between Turkey and Norway has been moved to Spain’s Malaga from Norway’s capital Oslo due to travel restrictions against the novel coronavirus.
The match was scheduled to be played on March 27 at Ullevaal Stadium but will be played at La Rosaleda Stadium at 1700 GMT.
Turkey will take on the Netherlands, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, and Gibraltar in Group G of the European Qualifiers.
Norway squad
Goalkeepers:
Rune Jarstein (Hertha Berlin), Andre Hansen (Rosenborg), Sten Grytebust (Copenhagen), Kristoffer Klaesson (Valerenga)
Defenders:
Birger Meling (Nimes), Haitam Aleesami (Rostov), Martin Linnes (Galatasaray), Jonas Svensson (AZ Alkmaar), Julian Ryerson (Union Berlin), Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic), Stefan Strandberg (Ural), Ruben Gabrielsen (Toulouse), Stian Gregersen (Molde), Marius Lode (Bodo/Glimt), Leo Ostigard (Coventry City)
Midfielders:
Fredrik Midtsjo (AZ Alkmaar), Mathias Normann (Rostov), Morten Thorsby (Sampdoria), Iver Fossum (Aalborg), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Sheffield United), Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic), Jens Petter Hauge (AC Milan), Mats Moller Daehli (Nurnberg)
Forwards:
Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Sorloth (Leipzig), Joshua King (Everton), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Groningen), Kristian Thorstvedt (Genk), Tokmac Nguen (Ferencvaros)
I think any coach that has gone through Ajax mafia system will behave in this manner. They behave like “daddies” in prison..So, we got a new “Daddy”.
Buddy, I think you are more obsessed with hating Ajax than you are with supporting your team. Honestly not a good look for you!
Nope, I am not obsessed with hating Ajax, and I do not hate Ajax. I still support it when they play in Europe. However, I do not like that team and that is my choice. You can not deny the fact that influential Ajax clan exists in Dutch football and its influence is not always constructive which is very irritating. With respect to AZ, I do not have to yell or be a cheerleader in this room to prove that I am supporting my team. Last but not least, everybody may have a specific perception about someone, and to be honest with you I am careless who thinks what about me. Not being rude, just honest.
@Derekvdberg91; thanks for the explanation; the distinction is helpful. But if I were rooting for YB…
Re: the hoped for result in Turkey. I think the NT can win. De Boer will likely go in with a conservative formation and tactics (De Roon, and maybe Bergweijn if he is healthy, for his defensive qualities). Unfortunately that is often a recipe for a bad result. If he plays Blind at CB, you wouldn’t want to sit back and rely on him to soak up pressure. So do you let him push up the field to do what he does best, pass and distribute? If so, do you push the fb’s up the field as DeBoer has done to date? Maybe when all is said and done, St. Juste plays at CB. He must have done something right this year to get selected.
I just realized Norway is in also in the group as well. Id say now this pool gonna be tricky
Turkey squad:
Goalkeepers: Mert Gunok (Medipol Basaksehir), Ugurcan Cakir (Trabzonspor), Altay Bayindir (Fenerbahce), Gokhan Akkan (Caykur Rizespor)
Defenders: Zeki Celik (Lille), Nazim Sangare, Caner Erkin (Fenerbahce), Merih Demiral (Juventus), Ozan Kabak (Liverpool), Mert Muldur, Kaan Ayhan (Sassuolo), Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City), Umut Meras (Le Havre)
Midfielders: Okay Yokuslu (West Bromwich Albion), Taylan Antalyali, Emre Kilinc (Galatasaray), Dorukhan Tokoz (Besiktas), Ozan Tufan, Irfan Can Kahveci (Fenerbahce), Orkun Kokcu (Feyenoord), Yusuf Yazici (Lille), Halil Akbunar (Goztepe), Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan), Deniz Turuc (Medipol Basaksehir)
Forwards: Burak Yilmaz (Lille), Enes Unal (Getafe), Kenan Karaman (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Cenk Tosun (Besiktas)
Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Defenders: Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Robin Gosens (Atalanta), Marcel Halstenberg (Leipzig), Lukas Klostermann (Leipzig), Philipp Max (PSV Eindhoven), Antonio Rüdiger, Chelsea), Niklas Süle (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), ?lkay Gündo?an (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Amin Younes (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich), Timo Werner (Chelsea)
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Guys I haven’t heard any of you talking about Wout Weghorst , currently our top league goal scorer
I’m wondering what FDB explanation would be .
Never been a fan of weghorst but I’d definitely take him over Babel or berghuis
Some good form players but not in the list
Weghorst , Botman, Koopmeiner, Schuur, Bazoer, Reidewal, Boadu, Danjuma, El Ghazi, Schouten
Injury & just back from Injury not enough performance:
vanDijk,Ake,Vrij
Not deserve from the list: Klaasen, beBeek,Babel,Bergwijn,Velman,Blind,
With all due respect Schuurs does not belong in that list. Besides not playing much lately since he lost his spot to the very promising Timber, Schuurs imo is the reason Ajax finished 3rd in the UCL instead of second. Very weak defending at times and any striker with pace can easily trouble him. On the positives, he is very good with the ball on his feet but his defending is a big question mark. Playing him next to Blind wasn’t the smartest thing Ten Hag has done.
I also don’t believe Riedewald deserves a spot in the national team yet. Very inconsistent player.
One player who’s in great form that you didn’t mention is Karsdorp!! Him and Dumfries deserved the two calls on the right.
I also disagree with not including Blind and Klaassen. Both players will be valuable to to the national team even as subs. Blind will probably start next to De Ligt against Turkey as a CB.
Lastly, choosing Luuk De Jong and Babel instead of Weghorst is an absolute joke and that’s all I can say about De Boers decision.
Danjuma is Mercurius,he is some one close to Roben..amazing player and inform…FDB is an idiot to drop him..
Next is bazoer..He is miles ahead of klassen,Bazer is stunning and redhot form…another idocy…
However no strootman,hateboer thats a big relif for me….
i dont knopw whom to go with Luuk or Weghorst…Luuk is a team player and unselfish..i would go with romario ,bebeto type forwards not a tall static striker who has no speed and agility to finish half chance..Cody gakpo/Boadu/ would have made us more productive and threatening..
i am perfectly ok with St juste..i think this was due for long time,However throwing him against Turkey WCQ reminds me of Deligt VS bulgaria debt…
Another shitty drop was koopmeiners..
I would think Koopmeiners is needed for the Euro U21 which the Jong Oranje has a real chance of winning. He could be in the final Euro squad, esp. if he performs well for the U21.
I also hoping Danjuma can make the final Euro squad, together with Weghorst. But seems Babel is chosen for his presence in the team, not so for his performance. Almost unlikely to be displaced. Maybe Berghuis can be replaced.
Weghorst just scored another goal but it does not matter. Babel talk in the dressing room is so powerful. That makes Depay and De Jong play 10 times better. That’s FDB’s plan to win Euro.
Weghorst does not fit team’s tactic? Guess what? It is your job, FDB, your job to integrate your best striker to the team.
Re:Weghorst
I think its quite clear whats happening there. He is more a ball carrier type striker and with Depay around he will rather end up forced to hunt for those pocket spaces to get serviced, which is not his strong hold. This is where Luuk fits in better with his arieal threat.
Being said this if luuk starts,then it becomes an issue. He is best as a pinch hitter to be used in final quarter or so.
On another hand, vs Lativa and Gibraltar, FDB could have used Weghorst.