Netherlands predicted lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2022

The Oranje will be one of the dark horses in the upcoming quadrennial mega event.

The Netherlands are back at the World Cup after missing the 2018 edition and head coach Louis van Gaal is confident they can spring a surprise and go far. The Netherlands has been one of the best teams in the history of the World Cup but has never tasted the glory despite being known for its excellent brand of football. The Dutch have made it to three World Cup finals in the past, but have yet to lift the coveted trophy as they have fallen at the final hurdle each time.

The Netherlands have fitness concerns of their own but come into their first World Cup since 2014 in excellent form. The Dutch are unbeaten in 15 matches since Louis van Gaal was appointed manager for the third time last year.

Here's the predicted lineup for the Netherlands (3-5-2):

Goalkeeper - Remko Pasveer

He is 39 years old and is one of the best goalkeepers to play in the Eredivisie and is the favourite to start as a goalkeeper for Holland. As Wesley Sneijder commented the other day: “Pasveer is currently Holland’s best goalie and deserves to start”. He will be key for guarding the post for the Oranje.

Center Back - Jurrien Timber

Timber is usually deployed as a Right Back or Centre Back, at 5’10” he isn’t classed as a ‘tall’ player however he has some very useful skills that mean he is able to read the play well and as expected with Ajax, contribute to the attack. One thing that is very noticeable about Timber is that he is very vocal.

He will tell his teammates where to run and when playing in central defence he is more than happy to take on the responsibility of organising the backline. In terms of defensive ability, while probably still slightly weaker than his attacking, Timber has very good qualities for a young defender. He has good 1v1 positioning and can stay on his feet to win the ball back. He will be a key player for Van Gaal.

Center Back - Virgil van Dijk

 He is a constant source of information, reassurance and encouragement to his defensive teammates, he will lead his side as the captain of the Dutch national team. His positioning is one of his greatest strengths. Rarely will Van Dijk be caught out of position and running to try and catch up with play.

He will almost never be forced to go to the ground to make a tackle. Under high balls he likes to get tight to his opponent, using his body and arms to manoeuvre players out of his path so that he can get to the ball cleanly. He uses his height well and is extremely effective in the air, winning the vast majority of aerial duels he contests and ensuring opponents rarely win flick-ons against him.

Center Back - Nathan Ake

 Ake possesses is his pace. For a centre-back, Ake is uncharacteristically quick and his ability to accelerate could prove useful to his team.  Ake developed a reputation for being a defender with an excellent work ethic with a willingness to sacrifice himself for the team. Along with being a great tackler, over the years, Ake has displayed his ability as an exceptional reader of the game and this often allows him to quell dangerous situations before the attacking team is afforded a sight of a goal.

Ake’s aerial susceptibility is a cause for concern. Teams that favour a direct approach target him, but still, he is technically very good and will be a definite starter in the team.

Right Back - Denzel Dumfries

He is extremely active down the right-hand side, constantly charging up and down the pitch, he is more involved in the team’s build-up play. Furthermore, when the ball is on the other side of the pitch, the Dutchman moves into extremely high areas of the pitch, playing almost like a natural winger, often attacking in and around the penalty box. Dumfries’ attacking output is arguably his greatest asset, as evidenced by key statistical metrics. When looking at the defensive aspect of his game, Dumfries utilizes his strength, pace and athleticism to dispossess opposing attackers.

Due to his pace and athletic frame, he is able to quickly close down and block off the passing lanes, subsequently increasing his chances of successfully dispossessing the opposition player. He will be one of the players to look out for in the World Cup.

Left Back - Daley Blind

Blind boasts an impressive facet of the modern game – versatility; he has shown he is more than comfortable playing numerous positions over the years.  His experience at the top level over the years has enabled him to develop such skills as communication, tactical awareness, composure and defensive organisation – honing his craft as a leader.  Blind shows clear indications that he possesses a natural talent in the passing department. 

Blind is able to put in strong challenges where needed, or just nick the ball should the chance present itself, A calm and composed midfielder-cum-defender. It will be very difficult for any other player to replace him in the starting 11. 

Defensive Midfield - Teun Koopmeiners

The Dutchman is an extremely composed player at the base of midfield. And since he is left-footed and can drop back to play at centre-back as well, Koopmeiners covers the majority of the pitch on the left side, primarily in his own defensive third. He can also move up to support attacks on the left, while he rarely ventures into the final third.

He has usually played as part of a double pivot in midfield, which gives him the responsibility of covering the left half of the pitch, especially when out of possession.

Central Midfield - Frenkie de Jong

He’s a multifunctional midfielder. He has fantastic balance and dribbling ability, while his distribution benefits from him always playing with his head up. Frenkie de Jong has a lot – acceleration, craft, control, tactical nous and sharp decision-making. He can change the game in the blink of an eye. De Jong plays an important role when his team is in possession of the ball. He can build up play from the back. His vision is to spot a pass and constantly scan his spatial surroundings to create a pictorial understanding of space.

Frenkie likes to use his first touch to push the ball when starting a dribble; this gives him the ability to gain extra yards without showing too much of the ball. De Jong’s ability to progress the ball from deep whether that is with a pass or a dribble is sensational. He will be the heart of the midfield for the dutch team.

Attacking Midfielder - Cody Gapko

Having won the Dutch footballer of the year award, Gakpo is one of the most exciting young players in Europe at the moment. His pace as well as majestic dribbling ability makes it very difficult for defenders to keep him quiet. Gakpo is also very strong which makes it even harder for defenders as he’s able to use his strength to hold them off. He also has great ball control and technique. On top of that, he’s really good with his movement and he also has great positional awareness.

Striker -  Steven Bergwijn

Bergwijn is a great dribbler, and it is clear that it is not something he shies away from whilst on the ball. He does not seem to mind taking on players rather than attempting to change direction or look for a pass at first instinct, Bergwijn is a player with quick feet and incredibly good close control that allows him to dribble past defenders, specifically those with a bigger build, as they cannot keep up with Bergwijn.  

Bergwijn has a tendency to draw fouls when he is dribbling if he is unable to carry on with possession of the ball, shoot, or make a pass. He has special attributes which will be key for the team.

Striker - Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay is known as your typical modern-day footballer. Flashy cars, artistic tattoos and a lavish off-the-field lifestyle but it’s usually on the field that he catches your eye with a player who causes damage to opposition defences whilst looking the part. Very few footballers can pull off the style Memphis Depay sets on the pitch but with his phenomenal skill set like the ability to glide through players in tight spaces with such a low centre of gravity and the artistry of footballing mind to make things out of absolutely nothing, it’s comparable to his style off the pitch. 

One of Memphis’ most valuable skills is his ability to create for others and he makes sure these chances lead to goal-creating actions for his teammates. Memphis Depay is the type of forward that likes to get involved in the play a lot and he will go looking for the ball by drifting into spaces where the ball may be. He has the technical skill and craft to get out of tight spaces. Even though he did not get enough game time in his club but still Van Gaal trusts him and will be very important to them.