Blind, Depay & Other Potential Departures From The Eredivisie 'Talent Factory'

Many people wrote off the Netherlands this summer before the World Cup because of the lack of star names and more strikingly, abundance of players from the Eredivisie. More recently, newly appointed Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal listed the Eredivisie as one of the top 4 leagues in the world, claiming it to be tactically the best. One would be inclined to agree with him as the inherent nature of the Netherlands and its football is to develop players that are technically very sound, and the style of football being played takes utmost importance.

With the departures of 3 of the league’s best players in Tadic, Pelle and Finnbogasson already confirmed, TheHardTackle takes a look at the 5 biggest talents and their potential departures from the world’s best talent-producing factory.

5. NIKLAS MOISANDER (29) – AJAX – CENTREBACK

There is a certain proclivity to condense the word ‘talent’ in football into a young player, bursting with skill. In that sense, Finnish centreback and newly-appointed Ajax captain might not fit this category. But in the larger sense of the word, as a special natural ability or aptitude for something, Moisander more than fits the mould.

A tall, strong centreback, Moisander’s biggest asset is his ability to bring the ball and play out of defence very efficiently. In what is a very typical Ajax centreback quality, given the amount of time and space the two centrehalves are allowed on the ball when teams defend against Ajax, Moisander possesses a fantastic first touch and immaculate vision – as seen in this assist Ai??to teammate Davy Klaassen, or this pass to start the attack for Sigthorsson’s goal vs PSV, reminiscent of manager Frank de Boer’s pass to Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina, as well as former teammate Jan Vertonghen.

Everton were reported to be interested in the Finn in January and Moisander very recently mentioned that he is open to a move if the approach came, considering his age and the stage he is at his career and Frank de Boer mentioned back in January that Moisander is likely to move if concrete interest is shown. Given his qualities, it is easy to see how Moisander would fit Roberto Martinez’s style of football at Everton.

4. JORDY CLASIE (23) – FEYENOORD – DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER

It is easy to write Clasie off as a defensive midfielder based on his height. But then, some of the best defensive midfielders on the current scene and in the past, like Fernandinho (who had a fantastic season with Man City), Lahm and Makelele have been vertically challenged too – the latter two only a centimetre taller than Clasie.

A technically fantastic player, Clasie is also no easy pushover in midfield. What he lacks in pure physicality, he makes up with his energy and bursts in charge in midfield, winning the ball in key positions and of course, distributing the ball in the way that he has been reputed widely for. His vision from deep positions is so good, even parallels to Xavi have been drawn. A tenacious midfielder, Clasie was even handed club captaincy after Pelle’s captaincy was rescinded due to disciplinary off-field issues.

Having already lost Pelle and Martins Indi this summer and resigned to losing de Vrij, Feyenoord have made it a priority to retain Clasie and only a hefty fee will shake the Rotterdam club’s stance. Though many linked him to Manchester United based on Louis van Gaal’s appointment, the clubs to show a concrete interest in the midfielder are Fiorentina – who tried to buy him last summer -, Porto and Swansea City. If Utd were to come for Clasie, he would certainly be an upgrade over most of the midfielders they possess at the moment. (He only looks like Cleverley, he is a better footballer.)

3. DALEY BLIND (24) – AJAX – DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER

One of the Eredivisie stars of the World Cup, it should be mentioned first and foremost that Daley Blind being a leftback who can play in midfield is a misconception. He is a midfielder – who has played in midfield for the better part of the last 16 years of his life – who can operate at leftback and if need be, centreback.

Though the Ajax fans voted Lasse Schone as their Player of the Year, Daley Blind was bestowed with the honour of beingAi??theAi??Eredivisie Player of the Season – an accolade his father picked up twice in a row in the late 90’s before the Golden Shoe and Player of the Season awards were merged. A true Ajax-archetype No. 6, Daley Blind can best be compared to Sergio Busquets in terms of playing style. He is happy enough to sit deep, shield his centrebacks and let the likes of Serero and Klaassen ahead of him, play to their attacking strength. Armed with arguably the best passing range in the Ajax squad, Blind controls the pace of the game for his team, quickening when needed and calming it down. He also has very good vision – which needs no introduction following his assists for Robben and van Persie vs Spain at the World Cup. A different type of defensive midfielder to Clasie, Blind is much more physical, is a decent tackler and Mr Consistent in a young Ajax squad.

Frank de Boer has iterated over and over again recently that Blind will and should be staying, joining the legion of Ajax fans in calling him a ‘true Ajacied’. While he conceded that every player has his price, Blind is expected to be convinced to stay, possibly receiving a better contract after the recent profits Ajax made from Suarez’s sale to Barcelona like van Rhijn did, yesterday. If Moisander leaves, that leaves Blind as the only one in the Ajax squad with captaining experience and he has proven himself to be a good leader within the squad.

However, there has been reported interest from Barcelona and Manchester United in the midfielder-turned-defender-turned midfielder. Given the similarities between Barcelona and Ajax’s style of play, Blind is easily much more suited to the slower, more possesion-based system of the Catalans compared to the speed of the Premier League – since he lacks in natural pace.

2. STEFAN DE VRIJ (22) – FEYENOORD – CENTREBACK

Based on Castrol’s Performance Index, Stefan de Vrij was officially the best defender at the World Cup, ahead of the likes of Hummels, Garay and Silva. Of course, stats do not tell the whole story, but they might as well for this case. This World Cup was a coming-of-age of sorts for the Eredivisie players in the World Cup squad and it is easily de Vrij who has shown the biggest attainment of maturity.

A 22-year-old who still looks like a freckled 14-year-old, fresh off the school bus and often with a shocked expression on field, de Vrij is deceptively innocent on field (he still is amazingly innocent off field). A smart defender who can claim to have not let arguably the best player football has ever seen score against him, de Vrij is a typical tall, strong, centrehalf, a proven header of the ball, and always looking to improve. His tackling has improved by leaps and bounds and miles over the last few seasons and is less easily shrugged off the ball. He can also play the ball out of defence and is a good passer of the ball, though still occasionally prone to lapses in concentration and rushed challenges.

Very very likely to leave Rotterdam this summer, de Vrij is hot property at the moment. Though the customary-Man Utd-van Gaal link exists, a lot of clubs have been chasing de Vrij – including Hamburg, Lazio and Dortmund who look like they could be losing Hummels. It is the opinion of quite a few experts too, that de Vrij as a player would probably suit the Bundesliga more than the English Premier League.

1. MEMPHIS DEPAY (20) – PSV – LEFT WINGER

Despite having made only one start all World Cup, Memphis Depay was nominated for the Young Player of the Tournament award, having scored twice and assisted once – all as a substitute and the Moordrecht-born young man is arguably, but very possibly the biggest talent in the Eredivisie at the moment.

Most similar to perhaps Chelsea’s Eden Hazard in his burst of pace and cutting inside from the left wing, Depay is a physical presence down the wing, withAi??arms the size of Branislav Ivanovic’s thighs, blistering speed and with fantastic, dizzying dribbling skills. As if that was enough talent in one 178cm tall lad already, Depay also possesses a monster of a shot and good vision.. when he chooses to use it. Indeed, selfishness is an attribute Depay will have to work on, often choosing to overlook teammates in better positions. However, that is something that definitely looks to be improving and can be improved, especially when he moves to a bigger club and stage.

Though Memphis – as he prefers to be known – has admitted the possibility of staying in Eindhoven for another season, which would be the better option, as seen in the case of Eriksen, which would allow him to mature some more as a player especially since he only has one full season of being a starter at PSV under his belt. The Man Utd links make much more sense in Depay’s case, given he is someone who would significantly improve their attack – maturity or not. A definite upgrade over the likes of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, Depay will offer a direct approach to their attack and is quite a favorite for van Gaal.

Blind, Depay & Other Potential Departures From The Eredivisie ‘Talent Factory’ | Scouting Report

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