Manager Frank De Boer announced his final 26 men for the upcoming European Championship on 26 May. Most of the players called for the World Cup qualifying in March are retained but Steven Bergwin gets the ax following a poor season at Tottenham Hotspurs. Donny van de Beek retains his place even after not featuring often for Manchester United.
The big miss to their squad is Virgil Van Dijk. The Champions League winning center back has taken the time to recover himself from the season ending injury he suffered last October while with Liverpool. His absence also meant a lack of leadership in the team. The likes of De Vrij and De Ligt can make up the role but a classy player like VVD will elude them.
Netherlands UEFA Euro 2020 Squad :
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Tim Krul (Norwich), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)
Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (PSV), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Joël Veltman (Brighton), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Owen Wijndal (AZ)
Midfielders: Donny van de Beek (Manchester United), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Forwards: Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Luuk de Jong (Sevilla), Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven), Memphis Depay (Lyon), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moskva), Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg)
Key Player: Georginio Wijnaldum
There are a lot of individuals that can change the course of the game for the Netherlands. Memphis Depay will be the man to deliver in the big moments with his class and offer the lessons of the major stage to Malen, Gakpo, or Weghorst. Scudetto winner Inter's Stefan de Vrij is a pillar in the defense while Frenkie De Jong's versatility is exceptional. But laurels will be on Georginio Wijnaldum to lead them from the front. The 30-year-old has bid goodbye to Liverpool faithful and will want to cap off another great competition under his belt with his country before reportedly moving to Barcelona this summer. Wijnaldum's control on the ball, forward passing play and becoming a goal threat often than not makes him a great asset. In Van Dijk's absence, Wijnaldum will be the leader to make this talented group a unit.
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Strength (Talent & Quality)
Looking at those names in the squad list, it is no rocket science to understand the Dutch are basking in talent and quality. Ajax academy is the main contributor to the team but youngsters from PSV and AZ Alkmaar are also sharing the pie. They are accommodated with the established names of their country giving a good blend of youth and experience. Any team will work with such a magnificent combo. From the fullbacks to the striker's everyone is filled with potential, enthusiasm and energy. The Netherlands core is strong. If everything works out well, they will be the ones making headlines in the European Championship starting from June 11.
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Weakness (Frank De Boer)
It's nothing to do with Jose Mourinho calling him 'the worst manager in the Premier League history' after the Dutch criticize the Portuguese style of play but it feels like De Boer is not the man to deliver back the prestige of the Netherlands in a major competition. Ronald Koeman helped the Dutch break the chain of not qualifying for consecutive international competition (2016 Euros & 2018 FIFA World Cup) to make it to the Euro 2020 and also the finals of the 2019 UEFA Nations league before taking the title of Barcelona's coach. Boer's appointment was an eye raiser considering his unconvincing CV. The former midfielder has his version of play replicating Johan Cruyff's total football but it hasn't clicked that well till now. It seems Boer sometimes fails to find a proper balance in tactics and fielding the right players to align with.
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Although, the talent he sustains is huge and there is also a proper depth in the team. The Dutch may not have the best goalkeepers but they will do a good job when called upon. In general, the Netherlands can play better and produce their best in the Euros. Winning the competition may be too much of a task for this group at this moment.
Also check out here England Euro 2020 Squad, Belgium Euro 2020 squad, Croatia Euro 2020 squad and Germany Euro 2020 Squad
