The Netherlands have so far had a successful return to the World Cup, remaining undefeated in their group games and picking up seven points.
It is a positive start after the Oranje missed out on qualifying for the 2018 tournament altogether, and whilst the side hasn't fully clicked into gear yet, to the frustration of coach Louis van Gaal, they will still be a huge threat in the knockout rounds.
The side has undergone lots of changes from the team of the early 2010s that performed strongly at World Cups - gone are the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie - and in is a new wave of young talent and players in their primes.
The Sporting News looks at the best Dutch players in the side right now.
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The Netherlands have high quality talent all across the pitch. The young Jurrien Timber has impressed massively in defence and is tipped to get a move to a big European side soon, whilst Matthijs de Ligt remains a top defender and is still only 23-years-old.
Despite their quality, these are the key men that we think will be crucial to a Dutch renaissance in the knockout rounds.
Cody Gakpo
- Age: 23
- Club: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Transfer value: €45 million
Cody Gakpo is not only experiencing a breakout World Cup, but a breakout season as a whole. He is the equal top scorer at the tournament so far with three goals, and has been in scintillating form for his club with 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games.
Arsenal were rumoured to be after him in the summer, and they are going to have to pay a whole lot more to get him now with even more clubs no doubt circling.
Header vs. Senegal ✅
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2022
Left foot vs. Ecuador ✅
Right foot vs. Qatar ✅
Cody Gakpo can score them all 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mHTQ6tGyrh
Memphis Depay
- Age: 28
- Club: Barcelona (Spain)
- Transfer value: €20 million
Whilst his career may not have hit the stratospheric heights once predicted, Depay is still a key player in one of the biggest clubs in the world and also for his country. He has scored 42 goals in 84 matches for his country, and scored 13 goals for Barcelona last season.
His season so far has been very disrupted by injuries, and he was a doubt to even make the squad at all, he came off the bench in the Oranje's second match and started their 2-0 win over Qatar, meaning he is finding fitness at the perfect time.
Frenkie de Jong
- Age: 25
- Club: Barcelona (Spain)
- Transfer value: €50 million
A man who was part of the famed Ajax side that almost made a UEFA Champions League final, Frenkie de Jong's career has been a bit difficult since moving to Barcelona as the side have been plagued by financial issues that have seen the club look to push him out.
He remains at the club, and remains an important player for his country, being the first midfielder on the teamsheet. He already has 48 caps with still lots of his international career to go, and he got just his second international goal when he converted from close range against Qatar.
Frenkie de Jong gets himself on the scoresheet! 🙌 🇳🇱
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 29, 2022
The Qatar defence had front row seats as they just stood and watched! 🥴 pic.twitter.com/qwv7PXd1U9
Virgil van Dijk
- Age: 31
- Club: Liverpool
- Transfer value: €50 million
Considered by many to be one of, if not the best, central defender in the world, Virgil van Dijk is the lynchpin of the Dutch defence in the same way he has been for Liverpool.
He has won every trophy on offer at Merseyside where he is adored by the fans, and he has done well to come back strongly from an ACL injury that kept him out for most of the 2020/21 season and that years Euros.
His form has dipped slightly for Liverpool as he and other players are dealing with the fatigue from a mammoth season, but he has been solid in the tournament so far.
All transfer values were derived from Transfermarkt.
