Euro 2020 is almost a year away and the 2022 World Cup is almost three years from taking place. Even so, despite the fact that these tournaments are some way from beginning, the leading contenders are all attempting to position themselves to increase their title chances by as much as possible.
However, one of the teams which happens to be a genuine contender to win both has gone under everyone's radar. This team is stacked at almost every position and is loaded with immense talent and skill, but is somehow being slept on by far too many people. It is also a team which actually failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
This team is the Netherlands.
In the latest instalment of one of the most iconic rivalries in international football, the Netherlands beat Germany 4-2 in a Euro 2020 qualifying match. Goals scored by Georginio Wijnaldum, Frenkie de Jong, and Donyell Malen as well as a Jonathan Tah own goal helped the Oranje claim the victory over their eastern neighbours and arch-rivals.
Ever since the beginning of last season's Nations League, the Netherlands have been in fine form. In that tournament, they made it to the final, only to lose to Portugal. On their way to the final, the Dutch topped a brutal group which included France and Germany. Now, in qualifying for Euro 2020, they are well-positioned to advance to the tournament itself.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Netherlands. However, the emergence of many players as well as the career revivals of players who had once been overlooked or written off.
When looking at this Dutch team, one of the first things which draws attention is their remarkable defense. Of course, the foundation of this defense, best player on the team, and arguably the best player on the planet is Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk. The Netherlands captain's outstanding play at the back has been one of the primary reasons for the team's upturn in fortunes. Supporting van Dijk in the defensive line are Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind, and Matthijs de Ligt. In particular, the 20-year-old de Ligt has an incredibly bright future; it may even be the case that the two best centre-backs in the world both happen to be from the Netherlands.
The standout in midfield is definitely Frenkie de Jong. Barcelona's new signing lit up the Champions League last season during Ajax's underdog run to the semifinals. At just 22, de Jong has virtually the complete package for a central midfielder - a gifted passer, careful with the ball, an unforgiving but clean tackler; you name it, it applies to de Jong. The rest of the Dutch midfield is somewhat underrated as well - Marten de Roon, Davy Pröpper, Quincy Promes, and Donny van de Beek often do not receive as much of the spotlight as they likely deserve, as they have all made marked improvements over the last one to two years.
Up front, the two starters for the Netherlands are two players who have completely reversed their prior career narratives in Memphis Depay and Ryan Babel. When Depay signed for Manchester United from PSV in 2015, he was regarded as one of the most exciting rising stars in world football. Unfortunately, it never quite clicked for Depay at Old Trafford, and after one-and-a-half years, he signed for Lyon. However, ever since arriving at the Groupama Stadium, Depay has put his career back on track, re-emerging as a key part of both the Lyon and Netherlands teams alike.
Babel's story is even more remarkable. A 14-year veteran of the Dutch national team, Babel played his first game for the Oranje in six years in 2017. Although regarded as washed-up at the time, Babel only ended up going from strength to strength - in fact, of the 10 goals which he has scored over his international career, half of them have come during the last two years in what has been a remarkable late-career revival.
This Dutch team is clearly more than the sum of its parts. If everything continues in the way that has been shown over the last year or so, the Netherlands will be going places.
Perhaps that long sought-after first World Cup title might be coming sooner that one might think.
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