Our future is bright, pt 17

Hi guys, apologies for the silence. I had to travel for a bit and had some busy times… As you can see, the title of the post is one we used and seen before. And the big lesson is: there is always hope for a better future. Yes, we will miss this World Cup, but I am convinced we will come back stronger than ever. And I mean this literally. We’ll win the World Cup in the next 12 years, mark my words.

And we’re on the up and up with Dutch football, I’d say. With Wijnaldum, Strootman, Robben and Van Dijk still in the mix in the CL and sadly less of that in the Europa League. Well, maybe Ajax or PSV or Feyenoord can do it next season (unless AZ wins the Cup Final next week, brrrr).

I’ve been enjoying all your posts about all the talent out there and very appreciative of the updates on the youngsters abroad whom I can’t follow that well. Keep it up!

Also, with all this comes great responsibility!! The blog annual expenses are coming up (hosting, templates, etc) and some help will be tremendously appreciated. The paypal button is on the front page for you to enjoy ;-).

Anyway, let’s get into it.

The Eredivisie’s average age is getting lower and with Koeman now fitting in some talent into the NT (Til, Kluivert, Frenkie de Jong) it has its effect on the different Oranje youth teams. Some of the youngsters do have experience in the Eredivisie of course, players like Kik Pierie, Deroy Duarte, Tom van der Looi for instance, while Perr Schuurs and Kadioglu play regularly a level down in the Jupiler League. Both their clubs, Fortuna and NEC are battling for promotion, by the way.

The younger the Eredivisie clubs get, the more experienced our under 19s (for instance) will be. This trend won’t stop anytime yet. And it might well be that this trend will keep young talent in Holland instead of them moving to Man City or Chelsea where it will be rare for a homegrown player to make it into the first team.

Things are moving fast. Matthijs de Ligt could still play for the Under 19s but the Ajax centre back is already a fixed asset for the NT and even carries the skipper band for Ajax 1. It goes fast with the young lad.

The rep teams of Oranje do suffer a bit from this too. It’s quite likely that players who are key in their Eredivisie teams will not be made available for the Under 19s or other rep teams if the planning collides with the Eredivisie clubs’ season preparation. Another remarkable thing, is that PSV suddenly becomes the main supplier of young talent. Ajax, AZ and Feyenoord have the name and reputation but the PSV youth is incredibly strong at the moment. Partly because Ajax and AZ have just moved a number of talents up to the A squad, but still. Ajax also tends to find more talent abroad. So their youth teams are impressive, but the Oranje teams won’t benefit from that. And then there’s the players who are under the radar still, like Nathan Markelo. He played for FC Volendam and made the move to Everton, where he impresses on a weekly basis in their Under 23 team.

Kik Pierie is a central defender of SC Heerenveen, who has the most Eredivisie experience. He got his starting berth early this season and is not giving up that spot. He enjoys playing for the rep teams. He played the Euros for Under 17 already. “It was a unique experience, as you are up against the Ozils and Iniestas of tomorrow.” Pierie knows the top clubs in the EPL are following his moves. “I heard it and it’s nice to hear and all that, but I’m not really concerning myself with it all. When something becomes serious, I’ll hear it in more detail. Otherwise, I’m focusing on playing my games.”

Here are some new prospects:
ADO Den Haag – Delano Ladan – Striker

Delano Ladan entered the youth academy at ADO Den Haag in 2013 and has great promise as a striker. He made his debut this season.

Ajax – Carel Eiting – midfielder

Met zijn generatiegenoten Matthijs de Ligt en Frenkie de Jong.
With Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong

Marcel Keizer allowed Eiting his debut this season but he’s not really a new face. Peter Bosz added the youngster to the first squad and he warmed the bench last season already. He made the move to Ajax in 2007 and the left footed midfielder is a typical deep lying playmaker with a lot of composure on the ball.

Ajax – Noussair Mazraoui – midfielder

Noussair Mazraoui omhelst Hakim Ziyech na diens treffer tegen NAC Breda.
Noussair Mazraoui with Hakim Ziyech

Noussair is another player who owes Keizer gratitude. The youngster played without a contract at Ajax but Keizer made sure Ajax signed him up. He started as a defender but has been transformed to a multi-functional midfielder. Erik ten Hag is also a fan. Mazraoui is capable of playing everywhere, really. Defender, winger, midfielder. Morocco is on the prowl though, for this kid.

Ajax – Dani de Wit – midfielder
Dani de Wit torent tijdens zijn Eredivisie-debuut voor Ajax hoog uit boven Tyronne Ebuehi van ADO Den Haag.
Dani de Wit at his debut

Dani de Wit is a genuine Ajax talent. He completed Ajax 2 midfield with Nouri and Eiting two seasons ago. With Dani de Wit in the Donny van de Beek role, box to box. De Wit can score goals and tackle.

AZ – Teun Koopmeiners – Midfielder
Teun Koopmeiners laat zich tegen VVV-Venlo door niemand van de bal zetten.
Teun Koopmeiners boss over the ball

Teun Koopmeiners is a kid of the club. The left footed midfielder (pretty two footed though) has everything a midfielder needs: legs, vision and a tremendous left foot. The Italian Gazzetta dello Sport picked up on him and mentioned him in their Talent list. His younger brother Peer plays in AZ Under 19.

AZ – Ferdy Druijf – Forward

Ferdy Druijf is a pysically strong striker, a killer in the box and an eye for his team mates.

Feyenoord – Cheick Toure – Forward
Als zestienjarige één-tegen-één met Kostas Tsimikas van Willem II.
Making his debut in De Kuip at 16.

Remarkable story… He escaped the violence in Guinee when he was 5 years old, with his older brother. He landed at a guest house in Dordrecht and started to focus on football. Via FC Dordrecht he was invited to play for Feyenoord. He’s a hot and cold winger, and made his debut already but faced some injury setbacks. He is the youngest debutant except for one Gini Wijaldum who was 2 months younger at his debut.

Feyenoord – Tyrell Malacia – Defender
Ajacied David Neres komt te laat, Tyrell Malacia heeft de pass al verstuurd.
David Neres is too late, Malacia passed the ball already.

Tyrell Malacia made his debut for Feyenoord in the Champions League vs Napoli and got a string of games in a row. He’s a modern left full back: fast, defensively ruthless and with a good cross. He was born and raised in the shadows of De Kuip in South Rotterdam.

Feyenoord – Dylan Vente – Forward
Dylan Vente laat zich gelden in de derby tegen Sparta Rotterdam.
Dylan Vente in the derby vs Sparta Rotterdam.

A famous football name in Rotterdam. His great-uncle Leen Vente scored the first goal in De Kuip in 1937 and 80 years later goal machine Dylan made his debut in the Feyenoord 1 team. He’s an allrounder, he’s not tall but is a good header of the ball. He’s not super fast, but he is smart fast. He’s got technique, a nose for the space and a goal scoring instinct. He too made his debut in the CL, vs Man City. In his debut in the Eredivisie he scored, and he scored with a goal that was almost 100% similar to the goal his great-uncle scored that made him famous.

Feyenoord – Justin Bijlow – Keeper
Justin Bijlow mag in de eerste wedstrijd van het Eredivisie-seizoen meteen zijn opwachting maken in Feyenoord 1.
Justin Bijlow in the first game of the season in Feyenoord 1.

Justin is also part of a real Feyenoord family and will be Feyenoord’s first goalie soon. He’s a tremendous line goalie with amazing reflexes.

FC Groningen – Ludovit Reis – Midfielder

Reis is the revelation of FC Groningen in an attacking midfield role. Reis is the son of Slovakian parents, but feels Dutch: “I live in Holland, I am Dutch and I want to play for Holland.” Reis is currently injured.

FC Groningen – Tom van de Looi – Midfielder
NAC Breda-middenvelder Mounir El Allouchi krijgt geen centimeter ruimte van Tom van de Looi.
Tom van de Looi.

Tom van de Looi was a bench warmer for Groningen at the start of the season. When Groningen received 600k euros for the Van Dijk transfer to Liverpool, they didn’t spend it on a new midfielder: we have Tom. The son of coach Erwin van de Looi plays defensive mid and never gave up his spot after making his debut (against Willem II, coached by his dad).

SC Heerenveen – Kik Pierie – Defender
Duel op hoog niveau met Mike van Duinen van Excelsior.
Duel op hoog niveau met Mike van Duinen van Excelsior.

Kik Pierie was born in Boston, MA. Dad studied at Harvard back then. Kik and his two younger brothers Stijn and Take also play for Heerenveen. He made his debut at 16 and was lauded for his passing, his reading of the game and his mature mentality. He’s on the radar of several top clubs in Europe and might leave Heerenveen this summer.

PEC Zwolle – AZ – Tijjani Reijders – Midfielder
Tijjani Reijnders zit Almere City-aanvoerder Tom Overtoom kort op de huid.
Tijjani Reijnders in Zwolle blue-white still

When assistant coach Arne Slot went from Zwolle to AZ, he almost immediately took Reijders with him. Tijjani made his debut for Zwolle in the Eredivisie but is currently part of Young AZ.

PSV – Kenneth Paal – Defender / midfielder

Kenneth Paal was developed at NEC and became one of Holland’s most talented central midfielders. In 2010 he made the move to PSV. He has played some games as left back for PSV’s first team, which wasn’t a tremendous success, but Cocu needed him there as PSV lacked a good option. Next season Paal will be able to focus on his fave spot in midfield.

PSV – Cody Gakpo – Left winger
Het moment waarop Cody Gakpo al vanaf zijn zesde had gewacht: debuteren voor zijn club.
Cody Gakpo debut vs Feyenoord

Gakpo plays for PSV since his 6th birthday and finally made his debut 10 years later. A typical left winger…

Sparta Rotterdam – Deroy Duarte – Midfielder
Een krachtmeting tussen twee Rotterdamse talenten: Deroy Duarte versus Tyrell Malacia.
Deroy Duarte versus Tyrell Malacia.

Deroy Duarte made his debut this season under Alex Pastoor. He caught the eye of many supporters and analysts. He’s a typical attacking midfielder with a gift to find the gaps and holes to pop up. He’s got a strong right foot. After Van Drongelen and Dumfries, it seems he was the next to make a step up, but with Advocaat entering the fray and Sparta playing relegation football, Duarte lost his spot in the team. He got injured and with Advocaat using experience over talent, he has to be patient.

Sparta Rotterdam – Mark Veenhoven – Midfielder
Mark Veenhoven zit in het wiel van Feyenoorder Tonny Vilhena.
Mark Veenhoven with Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena.
 He’s the player every team wants and every opponent hates. A Nigel de Jong style midfielder. You gotta pass him three times and then he hacks you down. Not a great talent but oozes mentality. He got his debut and was red carded in that game, but became a cult hero as a result. His professional foul stopped the Groningen forward who was on on goal and the foul (and red card) did result in Sparta winning the three points. A professional move, hailed by the sports analysts and experts in Holland.
Vitesse – Thomas Buitink – Striker
Thomas Buitink debuteert in minuut 80 van Vitesse-Feyenoord en heeft in minuut 84 al zijn eerste gele kaart te pakken.
Thomas Buitink gets yellow in his debut game vs Feyenoord

 Buitink is a shrewd number nine who always scores. He’s already high on the scouting lists of many clubs in Europe.

99 comments

  1. On a side note, Dutch U16 beat Czech U16 7:0 but Czech U16 actually won the four country tournament(Romania, Poland, Czech (home country)). We actually beat Poland U16 7:0 couple weeks ago but we only managed a 2:2 tie this time. Youth tournament especially at U16 age is really weird. However, we did miss a lot of top players in this tournament due to league plays.

  2. During last two years I have rarely watched the games of our so-called “top threes” after past years of embarrassment in Europe. Today I decided to watch PSV – Ajax to see whether our another so called “coach-prodigy”, Erik ten Hag, can make any difference in such a crucial game. Ajax have very talented young players and I think ten Hag could have done much better job in creating a solid team. Unfortunately, since he took over Ajax from Keizer, this collection of players have played very dull and grey football. Is ten Hag really good coach as we all think of him?

    1. its a shame Feyenoord season was marked with persistent injuries which affected their season overall in league and CL as well. after the transfer window I had all the money on them to win the title but unfortunately they lost the grip with injuries resulting in make shift positions to fill in the gaps and the results never came their way.from the youth perspective I cant see any player breaking into their starting 11 next season apart from late cameos maybe.I think GVB has enough depth and experience in the current squad and with most players returning back from lengthy injuries,GVB might just go with what the same squad. the only possible departure could Jorgensen who is heavily linked to Newcastle. still dont think Vente will be able to fill in his shoes and they might go to the market for a new striker.

      Congrats to Cocu and Psv for winning the eredivisie. Again I will be very interested to see what happens to their Talented youths who will graduate at the end of the saeson.

          1. Sorry that was rude. It’s just vilhena is too good now he should probably move up to a top serie A team or a good epl team now

          2. What makes you say he is too good.what he has done for Feyenoord or NT.I would agree he is an above average player with probably a high ceiling but by no means he has done anything that will warrant him to be persued by top clubs.unless for a good bargin, in the region of 7-15 million, I dont think feyenoord will release him.

          3. Vilhena was due for a transfer years ago. If a high potential player stays in the Eredivisie for nore than one year their career will just stall by staying in a league where the competition isn’t that good look at klaasen he stayed at ajax for too long and ruined his career. If vilhena stays one more year he will just become another klaasen and he will never improve. This is why players like kluivert and de lift should leave at the end of this season because they need to participate against harder competition for them to improve if they want to reach their potential

  3. Zivkovic with another two goal game on the weekend. He really should move to a top premiere league team in the summer or maybe Barcelona or real madrid

      1. Obviously, he is outperforming people in a better league so going to barca or Madrid will be a step down towards a way worse league. Apart from their top three teams no one else in that league is good at all

        1. there is something about Depay you have to realize, he will always shine in a team where there is no players with a higher ceiling to that of his. you look at the current Lyon team, only Nabil Fekir must be in front of him as a player with higher ceiling and the rest like traoer, Diaz are pretty much up to his calibre or maybe below.this is why he struggled at Man United. Rashord and Martial were more comptent players than him and even though Van Gaal gave him so many opportunities,he still just couldn’t hit form. the same goes,when he was at PSV or in eredivisie, there was hardly any player who was in better form than him and this why he singly handed guided PSV to the title.

          Depay will never thrive in a team with players who have better ceiling than of him or are more competent.

          you can also single this out in the current NT.

          Asensio vs Depay

          Vázquez vs Depay

          Coutinho Vs Depay

          Dembele vs Depay

          the outcome will be the same.

          1. When RVN was the top scorer for PSV, when he moved to England, then he was also the top scorer for MU.

            For Memphis, I think it is about mentality. Or maybe about the system or about tactic.

          2. I do not think that is what is limiting depay at all. People have rough years all the time. Depay either just didn’t fit into the system or maybe he was just out of form. It happens to pro players all the time. Depay should move to real Madrid or Barcelona in the next couple of years and be the star there

          3. Depay is better than Vazquez, compared to the others you listed, he is a little behind. Asensio and Countinho are both phenomenal players.

  4. Zivkovic is a poor finisher but with sheer pace which is main strength and if he doesn’t improve on his finishing ability,im sorry to say he will be find him self loitering around in average teams. scoring two goals doesnt mean he ready to play for Barcelona or real. try to answer this question. why did Ajax never renewed his contract. which didn’t Utrecht buy him permanently from Ajax when he was such a talent? i acknowledge he shouldn’t be written but then he needs to prove himself better. he is still on low profile at KV oostende.

  5. Jong Ajax beat NEC 1-0 to climb to the top of Eerste Divisie. Dennis Johnsen scoring the lone goal which was enough to seal the victory. this guy will go on to become a big name for Ajax but unfortunately he is Norwegian. I dont think Jong Ajax will be promoted though therefore the race is still on between Fortuna Sittard and NEC. Two rounds left and NEC is trailing Fortuna by one point. the last two round will be interesting.

    1. I must say the current Jong Ajax midfield is a real deal . De Wit, Mazraoui,Matusiwa bossed the midfield with ease and made kadiolgu and NEC look amateurish. Maybe its still too early but Azor Matusiwa could be improvised version of Nigel De Jong.Im thinking why Jong Ajax cant be promoted to eredivisie with a different name or as an second feeder club of Ajax. NEC had their chances in the game which their failed to capitalize but they were clearly outclassed by this young Ajax team.

      1. Nouri Van De Beek Freenkie De Jong/Carel Eiting is probably the best midfield generation after Sneijder Van Der Vaart De Jong’s generation. Those three you listed is not close to Nouri, Van De Beek, Freenkie De Jong’s level.

      2. @Wilson, I watched extended highlights, so can’t comment as to whether Jong Ajax outclassed them over the 90. NEC missed a couple of golden opportunities—the Ajax goal, I thought was just bad defending. Is Matusiwa No. 7? If so, agree. He looked strong, fast and lively.

        Funny thing about Nigel De Jong. He was lean, fast and quick when he came up. He didn’t turn into his latter defensive mf self until he went to Hamburg. If you ever get a chance check out some of the PSV-Ajax matches when those two were in the squads. De Jong played fullback on Robben’s side of the field. The game was worth watching just to watch those two go at it.

  6. I do think Ten Hag is a good coach but I also think Ajax’ management is responsible for the somewhat depressed state they’re in.

    The Nouri situation hasn’t helped. That put a large wet blanket over the squad.

    The exit of Keizer and Bergkamp was the result of a power struggle, which wasn’t too well received by the players.

    It seems the Ajax fans took it out on Ziyech as well as he tends to have a bored and aloof vibe over him.

    With Dolberg injured and issues at the back (the full backs were never delivered until Ten Hag was appointed). Management is responsible more so than Ten Hag.

    As for Memphis, I’m sure he can play with better players than him. He did so in Oranje with Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie.

    I can see him play at world class level but it needs to be at a club where they create space. Like Atletico. In his striker role at Lyon he is lethal. 5 assists and 5 goals in the last games. Involved with every goal!

    Michiel Kramer, former Feyenoord striker and now at Sparta kicked Buttner in the face, with two legs going in: studs leading. Nice one!

    only 7 match ban….

    1. I hope Ten Hag bring Sinkgravens to the midfield next season where he belongs.the more they drag with schone and Ziyech, the more depressing they look. Im also thinking if Ajax will be tempted to loan or permantely sign clasie from Southampton. Jan what do you think here. Can this be possible or has any feyenoord player made a switch to Ajax in the past.

  7. I think we need to judge Ten Hag at the end of next season when he was able to have a full prep.

    The new left back from Argentina is wonderful, but the Danish right back Christensen didn’t impress at all.

    Veltman should move on.

    Vilhena will go this summer as Feyenoord wants to get some euros for him. I can see him go to the likes of Dortmund or Lazio or Leicester City.

    1. I would say if Ajax fail in the CL qualification, Ten Hag will be tagged going into the new season of eredivisie. Im sure FDB if approached again will not hestitate to come back.the backing of the management could be a factor here though and depending on how the season goes could well decide Ten Hags future.Remember the CL Qualification will be quiet different to that of previous years next season. There will be no teams from EPl, Bundasliga,Serie A and La Liga in qualification playoffs.all this leagues will have direct 4 teams qualifying for CL which is a good move.this will give opportunity to other teams to qualify for CL.PSV and Ajax both have a good chance of qualifying as this time around the teams qualifying for the playoffs and those through qualifying rounds will be somewhat balanced in terms of the gap between the power house teams which has used playoffs to qualify previously.I think this will make the qualification more fair and this should give the indication of how high Ten Hags ceiling is.

  8. Dutch Players that need to move this summer:
    Kik Pierie 17 CB Heerenveen
    Need to move to a better team to get to a higher level. I think Ajax/PSV should give this guy a shot.
    Matthijs de Ligt 18 CB Ajax
    Clearly he is too good for Eredivisie,he should move to Barca.
    Justin Hoogma 19 CB TSG Hoffenheim
    Did not get much chance at Hoffenheim, they had too many CBs, maybe loan to a lesser team in Germany.
    Mink Peeters 19 Midfielder Almere City
    This kid is lost after Real Madrid loaned him out, he need to find a team that he can have enough stable playing time. A lower level Eredivisie Team could work.
    Giovanni Troupée 20 RB Utrecht
    His growth is stalled a bit this season because Sean Klaiber’s good performance. He might be going abroad this summer. Celtic was following him which is not a bad idea.
    Javairô Dilrosun 19 LW Man City
    Followed by Juventus but he really should be loaned to somewhere he can play a lot. This would be a very important summer for him.
    Bobby Adekanye 19 RW Liverpool
    Same situation as Dilrosun
    Sam Lammers 20 Striker PSV
    Need to be loaned to a mid level Eredivisie team to get playing time. Unless PSV decided to let Luuk De Jong go and have him replace Luuk De Jong.
    Justin Bijlow 20 GK Feynoord
    Not getting much game at Feynoord, unless he can get the starting spot at Feynoord, he should be loaned to a mid level Eredivisie team.
    Rodney Kongolo 20 Midfielder Man City
    Need to be loaned to a better team and play more.
    Riechedly Bazoer 21 DM Wolfsburg
    Time to move a decent team where he can start. Maybe move to Ligue One like Depay?

      1. I will also add Jairo Riedewald who needs more playing time, Rick Van Drongelen and Adam Maher if both their respective teams get relegated to the above list

        1. Agree, NEC needs to be promoted, they have a couple good young players that need Eredivisie Experience. Rick Van Drongelen should definitely move to a another decent German team if Hamrburg get relegated. Riedwald can fight for his spot for another summer, he got some chances this last season and I still think he have enough quality to break into the starting 11 in Crystal Palace.

    1. Gervane Kastaneer 21 LW 1.FC K’lautern
      Left Eredivisie prematurly, lost his spot at K’lautern, maybe time to get loaned back to mid level Eredivisie team to find his form.
      Gyrano Kerk 22 RW Utrecht
      Played a couple very impressive games this season. However, it does not seem any of the big 3 plus AZ would need his service, maybe a move to a lower German team or stay for one last season.
      Kingsley Ehizibue 22 RB PEC
      Impressed this season at PEC, he can be the one to replace Arias/Veltman for PSV/Ajax. Feynoord should consider him as well.
      Clint Leemans 22 Midfielder Venlo
      Great first season in Eredivisie. Next step should be a mid tier Eredivisie team.
      Tonny Vilhena 23 Midfielder Feynoord
      He has matured from Eredivisie, a move to a good team in the big 5 league should be doable for him.
      Joshua Brenet 24 LB PSV
      I don’t think he has much room to improve if he stay in Eredivisie for another year. With the Championship he should move to a decent team within big 5 league. There are already teams following him last year.
      Joris van Overeem 23 Midfilder AZ
      Lost his spot to younger player at AZ, he should have moved to Germany last summer when there are teams following him, not sure if that is possible now. He can move to another Mid Tier Eredivisie team to get his form back.
      Ricardo Kishna 23 LW Lazio
      Injury once again hit him, after recovery he probably should move back to a Mid Tier Eredivisie team to find his form and get his career back on track.
      Vura 24 LW Ludogorets
      He is too good for the Bulgarian league, it also does not seem he want to come back to the Netherlands, he could be the player to replace Promes at Moscow Spartak.
      Adam Maher 25 Midfielder Twente(on loan from PSV)
      With his contract expired, he should go to a good Eredivisie team to get his career back on track, maybe go back to AZ where everything started?
      Davy Klaassen 25 Midfielder Everton
      Clearly, the coach does not like him, he should move on to a decent team in the big 5 league.
      Marco van Ginkel 25 Mifielder PSV (on loan from Chelsea)
      With the Eredivisie Champion, he has proved himself enough in the Netherlands, time to move to a good team within big 5 league.
      Wout Weghorst 25 Striker AZ
      Maybe Feynoord can use him to replace Jorgensen? I don’t think he is ready for big 5 league right now but maybe a move to one of the big three in Portugal is a good step.
      Mustafa Saymak 25 Midfielder PEC
      He proved that he is a very good player in Eredivisie and his contract is expiring, it’s his time to move abroad, maybe a top Turkish team will pick him up.
      Mitchell Dijks 25 LB Ajax
      With his contract expiring, Italian teams and English Championship teams has been following him, moving to a lower level Italian team is not a bad idea.
      Luc Castaignos 25 Striker Vitesse (on loan from Sporting)
      His career is severely stalled, did not play well for Vitesse, and I don’t think he has any future in Sporting, he needs to be loaned back to a decent Eredivisie team to get his career back on track.
      Ola John 25 LW Benfica
      His been loaned to multiple places in the last couple years and his final contract year at Benfica got very ugly as he was forced to stay at the 2nd team with no game to play. I hope after earning enough money in Portugal he can take a lower salary to come back to Eredivisie a subtop team in Eredivisie can really benefit from his service. Something like Labyad at Utrecht would be good for Ola John.
      Stefan de Vrij 26 CB Lazio
      A move to Inter is not bad.He should stay in Serie A.
      Quincy Promes 26 LW Moscow Spartak
      He should really leave Russia this summer to get to a higher level. A good Spanish team can be good for him. Maybe Athletico, there used to rumours betwen them.
      Steven Berghuis 26 RW Feynoord
      He proved his worth in Eredivisie and there is really not much he can improve if he stay another year. Another adventure abroad would be good, maybe a subtop team in Spain can work, I really don’t think his style is a good fit in England.
      Jordy Clasie 26 DM Brugge (on loan from Southamton)
      He needs to play more to get his form back. don’t think he will be given chance at Southampton next season. A move to a decent team in Germany or Spain can be good for him.
      Joël Veltman 26 RB Ajax
      He had matured from Eredivisie, maybe he should have moved on last year. A move to a decent team in Spain or Germany can be good.
      Ricardo van Rhijn 26 RB AZ (on loan from Brugge)
      Brugge should really loan him to a place where he can play more, a move back to a subtop Eredivisie team might help him to find his old form back.

      1. Jeroen Zoet 27 GK PSV
        Too good for Eredivisie, he can move to a good team in big 5 league.
        Luuk de Jong 27 Striker PSV
        After going through these ups and downs in his career, I think he is finally matured enough for a move to a decent team in big 5 league.
        Luciano Narsingh 27 RW Swansea
        Need to play more, did not get much chance to shine in Swansea. If he wants to go a step higher he need to change to a team where he can play more regularly.
        Sergio Padt 27 GK Groningen
        Time for him to move to a better team within Eredivisie. Could move to one of the big 3 if their starting GK left.
        Bryan Linssen 27 LW Vitesse
        Time for him to go abroad, to a team better than Vitesse level.
        Daley Blind 28 LB Man United
        It’s clear he has no future at Man United, a move to a good team in Serie A can be a good next step. Just don’t move back to Eredivisie.
        Jasper Cillessen 28 GK Barcelona
        Too good for the bench of Barcelona, teams that are following him: Napoli and Athletico can both be good for him if he can be the starter at these two teams. Jens Toornstra 29 Midfielder Feynoord
        Nothing left for him to prove in Eredivisie, a move to a decent team in big 5 league can be good for him. Swansea had rumours with him couple years ago and they like signing dutch players so maybe Swansea?
        Nick Viergever 28 LB Ajax
        Matured from Eredivise,maybe should have moved on last summer. A move to a good German team can be good.
        Tim Krul 30 GK Brighton (on loan from AZ)
        Needs to move to a team that he can start to get back his form.
        Erwin Mulder 29 GK Swansea
        Has wasted his time on the bench last season, need to be loaned to some Championship team where he can get playing time.
        Mitchell Donald 29 Midfielder Roter Stern
        Too good for Serbian League, maybe a move back to a good Russian Team?
        Jan-Arie van der Heijden 30 CB Feynoord
        This is probably his last chance to get a good adventure abroad, he can help some of the bottom teams in big 5 league.
        Douglas 30 CB Sporting
        Didn’t play last season, a move back to Russian or Turkish League can help him.
        Ibrahim Afellay 32 Midfielder Stoke City
        He has no future at Stoke City since he had issues with his coach, he can still help some teams in big 5 league.
        Michel Vorm 34 GK Tottenham
        If he want to have a one last shot at the NT spot, after his contract expire this summer he need to move to a decent team where he can start.

        1. Jay- Roy Grot – leeds.still 20

          He has had a mixed season in championship.was demoted to u23s where he turned out to be a big bully. Was recalled but hasnt had a good outings for the first team apart from last cameos.has scored few goals but still is inecperienced compared to his older compatriots. Heerenveen or Vitesse could be a good destination for him.

          1. I can see him fight for a starting spot at Leeds again this summer, it’s doable for him and he should not give up after just one season. Now he is getting used to life in England, he might be able to improve a lot next season

  9. Kevin Diks also will have is one year contract expire at Feyenoord at the end of this season.he is still a fiorentina player and with St Juste as extra coverup for both him and Bart Nieuwkoop,I wonder if feyenoord will renew his contract. I think this was good loan spell for him, featured in the champions league and played alot of minutes due to injuries. His defensive game is a question mark though as it seems to have deterioted. If he balance both his plays, well and good other wise he will find himself in the same boat as van rhijn and van der wiel. If vitesse qualifies for europa I think he should go back on another loan spell there. Dont think he will be able to break into fiorentina starting 11.

    1. Van der Wiel is doing very good at TFC and is about to play in the Club World Cup. I wouldn’t doubt it if TFC challenges whoever comes out of Europe for the club world cup

  10. Wow, Bas Dost retired from national team at the age of 28. He has such a weak mentality, he was unhappy that the team did not play his playing style which is high balls to the penalty area. He probably had some issues with players like Depay/Promes who are both shoot first past second winger. Dost could be a good bench players for some situations but apparently that is too little a role for this star. It seems there is some locker room issue within the team as Dost said he was unhappy for the whole week during the national team training.

  11. Bas Dost did the best for NT,we are better without him ,he understood and he left…i saw the pale faced Strootman and Dost after we thrashed Portugal….too much Ego hurts…

      1. yes we just thrashed Euro champion with out them and we DID qualify for Ec2016 and WC2018 with them agasinst Bulgaria,sweden /Turkey ,Icelan d and cezh…….they should be there to kick us out of Euro2020..

      2. please stop with the sarcasms. made me sad.

        we could’ve used him as pinch hitter. the problem is, he is currently the best forward in club level. he must be really frustrated to only become bench player at national level. far different situation than Vennegoor of Hesselink / Huntelaar (pre-Schalke years).

        so, the role will likely be Luuk de Jong’s. unless a REAL better forward with proven goal return finally come.

        1. On pure striker spot we have Vincent Janssen, Locadia who both fit the 5-3-2 better than Dost, and we also have Weghorst and Luuk De Jong who both can be put in the final minutes if we start hitting crosses in the penalty area so I think we should be fine but our depth at striker position was hurt a little bit.

          1. once Janssen get fit and hit the form again, he’ll definitely become the two top with Depay.

  12. I hope ten Hag will do well in Ajax, but my gut feelings tell me that he will not survive it. After Ajax exit Europe at early stages, ten Hag will be sacked.

    With respect to Dost, I think he has made a right decision. He understood that he was not a fit to the playing style of Oranje and he decided to quit rather than sit on the bench and wait like a puppy when coach will let him play last 5-10 minutes. I would not call it weak mentality, he just has high self-respect. I would do the same thing.

        1. The major problem for Dutch teams in Europe is the season starts too early, Dutch teams always lose a lot of players during summer and add in a lot of players. It took them at least till the winter break to fully build up the chemistry of the team. You can clearly see dutch teams plays gradually better later on in the season. None of the Dutch teams can avoid this because Eredivise is a development league. If PSV Ajax Feynoord AZ Utrecht can keep all their players consecutively for a couple years they can do much better than last couple years but this kind of situation would never happen.

  13. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp comes off the bench for Ajax today. Personally I’m hoping van de Beek and de Jong will stay for one more season before moving onto a big club. Ekkelenkamp and de Wit seem to be their natural replaces. Kaj Sierhuis hopefully debuts for Ajax next season.

  14. Dylan Vente also was given a rare start by GVB and he lived up to expectation with two goals and a assist. This guy has a good composure and if NJ depatures feyenoord this summer,the doors will open for him next season.

  15. Redan scored an important goal for Chelsea in UEFA U19 Semi-final, Familio Castillio scored the final penalty in the penalty shoot out. These two are definitely super talents for us.

    1. I couldnt help notice Boadu too has been named in the extended squad for the Euro u17s. Not very sure if he will fit by May.Buitink to is not eligible, which means Redan and Brobbey will be best option. Im not sure about joshua zirkee at Bayern though. Anybody following this guy.

      1. Boadu might be Redan’s level if he can fully recover, I still have doubts about Brobbery, his has a lot of physical advantage at this stage but we won’t have it once he got to 21-23. Couple years ago Danzel Granvenberch was very similar to Brobbery and look at where Danzel is now, can’t even find the bench at Reading and get loaned out. Changed to a CB as well.

  16. Jong Ajax, NEC and Fortuna all won today so the climax will shift to next week in the final round. Fortuna Sittard have a trickerly affair of them all as they will faceoff with jong PSV.

    1. The good part is that any incoming coach will be able to take the current team to the next level with some new signings exactly like what pep did after his arrival at city.this is where wenger was very stubborn.

      1. Always had a soft spot for Arsenal, so I hope you are correct. I’m pretty sure that Wenger never had the open check book that Man City has given its coaches. Perhaps whoever comes in will be able to demand more resources as part of the deal.

      2. it will be one of his ex-players, Vieira, Henry, Van Bronckhorst, to name a few.

        Podolski advised that a German would fit there.

        who knows. perhaps good ol’ Louis will fancy one more chance at England.

  17. Wow what a game from Cillesen in the Copa De Relay final. Clean sheet and Barcelona absloutely destroyed Sevilla. His kick for Coutinhos assist to Surez was spectacular. I think his todays game will make the barce management think twice before selling him.

    1. Cillessen is reportedly really happy at Barcelona, and loved the city. just bought a house there, apparently.

      that, and being trained by the shootings of Messi, Suarez, Coutinho, Rakitic…

      I think once Neuer declining, Bayern will come calling for Ter Stegen.

  18. PSV has confirmed that they will sign Nick Viegrever from Ajax in the coming weeks. I think this guy has been one of the underrated defenders in eredivisie.he can play both at CB and LB but has always been a backup at Ajax.I would say this will be good signing for PSV.

    1. He had been a regular starter for Ajax for at least the last two years, he just got injured this season, he is a very hard working player with great work rate. Definitely one to consider at LB spot for NT. I think Van Gaal talked to him before to switch to LB so he can get more chance for NT.

  19. Big performance from Napoli in serie A after beating Juventus 1-0 and throwing the race to the title wide open.being quietly following them and Sari should defintely be the coach of the season. Klaassen would be srcatching his head now after he threw that opportunity to join them out of the window when they came knocking on his door.

          1. Disagree. You see epl is not about tough start or opportunity or second chance, its all about survial and how best you can go to survive. There has been so many big names causlities in epl, Di Maria, Falcao,Depay,boteng, paulinho,thauvin, soldado,sanches, suso, jovetic and many more. Its just boils down to how best you adpat to epl and everton is just not up to klaassens par. Propper fits in well at Brighton because there is hardly any player in that position who has a higher ceiling than his or on the same level as he is. You look at Everton, schneiderlin, sigurdsson, Rooney,Gueye and plus their youths also, Davies, Calvert Lewin and few others. I jus cant see klaassen surving in that pack.his ceiling is not up to the par of the above players and only a stupid coach will give prefence to klaassen over the rest.

            Another classic example is to that of salah and De Bryne who gradually went on to become what they are today.

          2. No way Depay9….Klassen cannt dribble like Propper,He cannot outsmart propper…Propper has better accuracy in shots and passes..Propper is sharp…P

            FYI
            DAVY PROPPER IS REGULAR STARTER IN EPL
            klassen is pathetic overrated looser..

            klassen just benefitted ajax system and he has footballing intelligence that i agree..

  20. Euro u17 squad

    Brian Brobbey Ajax
    Liam van Gelderen Ajax
    Jurrien Timber Ajax
    Quinten Timber Ajax
    Nordin Musampa Ajax
    Enric Llansana Ajax
    Mees Bakker AZ
    Bram Franken AZ
    Kenzo Goudmijn AZ
    Daishawn Redan Chelsea
    Wouter Burger Feyenoord
    Ramon Hendriks Feyenoord
    Joey Koorevaar Feyenoord
    Toshio Lake Feyenoord
    Crysencio Summerville Feyenoord
    Mohammed Amine Ihattaren PSV
    Shurandy Sambo PSV
    Nigel Thomas PSV
    Elayis Tavsan Sparta Rotterdam
    Christopher Mamengi FC Utrech

    Pretty much the squad that featured in the qualifers.

    1. No Pherai, it seems they might have trouble calling in the kids abroad, Pherai is really a good talent and so is Beijsen who is at Roma but he was not even on the preliminary squad. I would hope to see one day we start with Boadu and Redan. If these two can develop some chemistry, it’s hell of a front line.

      1. Also no Ryan Granvenberch and Sepp Van Den Berg, I think the coach is just too lazy to get new more talented playered blended in the current group, he seems to have picked almost the same team as in the qualifier….

  21. I think we should reconsider van see Wiel for the national team he is doing amazing at TFC which is a good team almost made it to the club world Cup. Lost by penalties in the finals. And the MLS is not that bad of a league anymore. Probably really close to the Eredivisie. van der Wiel has really found his form again and could be a real help for the Netherlands

    1. He will always shine in the shadow of top players like at PSG. Individually he is a liability. Either way karsdorp, Hateboer, Tete are better for now. On the other hand it a shame van Rhijns development stalled with so much experience under his belt especially in CL.

  22. Ian Maatsen 16 CB PSV is moving to Chelsea this summer, it seems Chelsea has been picking up a bunch of Dutch youngsters recently. Redan, Castillo, Jayden Braaf and now Ian Maatsen.

  23. Propper will survive at Everton …thats sure..he was complacent in psv days but now he increased workrate …Propper is pretty skilled on ball,he is sharp in shooting..look at the goals he scored for NT in minimal time..he can be a pirlo and he could even suceed as a striker…Guy has football in him and he is topnotch intelligent player…while klassen cannot dribble ,he is tap in guy(that too he shots more towards GK)he cannt bury a ball like Depay,Roben ,Babel or Propper does..klassen was curse for us…we would see catastrophic midfeild with klassen-Gini and strootman as DM..thank God we wont see that anymore…

      1. Looking at the game vs Atletico Madrid, the difference between a great and good is well defined. One chance one goal – great. 10 chances one goal- good team.I jus dont know what happens to ozil in crunch matches. Defense defintely needs a overhaul.

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