This team isn't based on sole international performance, but the best players from this nation in a suitable formation.
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STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
3 best players not in the squad:
Netherlands' best achievement was winning the 1988 European Championship - 5 players make it from this team. They finished as World Cup runners-up twice in the 1970's (the decade where most players in this squad come from), and once in 2010. Van Dijk has earned his starting spot ahead of Jaap Stam. I could've chosen Rijkaard to play next to Koeman and started Van Hanegem in midfield with Neeskens holding, but I preferred both Rijkaard and Neeskens in their strongest roles. I chose Harry Denis as a back-up right-back ahead of Roel Wiersma. Frank De Boer can act as the back-up left-back and 4th centre-back on the bench, so there was no need for Rinus Israel or Adri Van Tiggelen. I had the option to play a 4-2-3-1, which was more suited Dutch total football style. It would have also suited Ruud Krol who was not a typical wing-back for the diamond system. In the the 4-2-3-1, Gullit would either play on the right-wing, or in a midfield 2 with Robben on the right. However, I preferred to play Gullit as an attacking-midfielder - his spot there would be taken by Cruyff in that system. Keizer would have also come into the XI on the left-wing in place of Bergkamp. I think the team was stronger as it was in the diamond formation. Van Hanegem and Seedorf are enough to cover Rijkaard, Neeskens and Gullit's positions. Neeskens can also operate as a defensive midfielder as back-up to Rijkaard, so Edgar Davids wasn't needed. With Bergkamp, Van Basten and Cruyff, Netherlands have the joint highest rated attack of any European nation alongside Portugal. Lenstra, Rensenbrink and Van Nistelrooy cover these 3, with Bergkamp capable of dropping back into Cruyff's role if needed. Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie were very close options here. If they performed at a high level for longer then they may have beaten Van Nistelrooy and Lenstra to a spot. The final two spots went to Robben and Keizer as the best players not yet included. Players By Decade: 1970's (8), 1980's (5), 1990's (3), 2000's (3), 2010's (2), 1950's (1), 1920's (1) |
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New Team Entries since 2022:
- 2025: Virgil Van Dijk - Reserves > Starting XI
Dutch Positional Ranking (World Class Players - 33)
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Top 20 Dutch Players of All-Time
(& their all-time positional rank)
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