Netherlands

Van Marwijk’s shadow list of potentials.

Team manager Bert van Marwijk confirmed he uses a shadow list for potential Oranje players at last Friday’s press conference in Zeist. The coach refused to publish the list, though. “It wouldn’t do anyone any good to publish that list. It’s not a fixed list either, so then I’d have to go out and justify all the changes all the time apart from all the media attention these players will get as a result. I don’t think it’s healthy. It will put extra pressure on and I don’t think club coaches will be pleased if their youngsters are suddenly approached with all these types of questions… I think the fans should trust the process, me and my staff in this. Our goal is the same as everyone’s: win prizes with attractive football. I’d be a fool if I’d close my eyes to the progress of certain youngsters.”

The press did manage to have Van Marwijk discuss some names. “Ron Vlaar is an obvious name, I guess. I know him well. He was an Oranje player before his injuries and he plays on a position that we’ve been having problems with in the past. We deliberately left him in peace in the first six months. His journey was a long one and it was irresponsible to call him up too early. The last thing he needs is to be over-utilized.”

Van Marwijk confirmed Drenthe and Maduro are on the radar as well, and a new name he came up with is Jeffrey Bruma, the young Chelsea defender. “He’s only 17 years old, mind you. But a high potential. He trains with the likes of Lampard, Terry and Drogba every week and that will definitely help his development. He’s made the final step to the Chelsea first team. Now I’d like to see him play a lot of games at that level.”

Maduro and Drenthe have a similar situation. “They are high potentials and we all know that. Under other management, they could have been selected for Oranje, or re-selected, but I don’t want to invite players on the basis of a number of good turns as a sub or a limited series of good games. Oranje needs consistency, but both players fit the bill on any other aspect.”

Van Marwijk also confirmed he enjoys watching FC Twente play… “But not only Twente. They do play according to a typical Dutch style and have great players, but I also like the developments in Eindhoven and Amsterdam. I think Dutch football is developing very nicely, despite our role at the international club level. I think that’s more a financial issue than a talent issue.”

Robin van Persie excels every week as Arsenal’s deepest striker. In Oranje, Van Persie is limited to playing on the flanks. Van Marwijk confirmed he has seen this too. “We’re not blind… We follow our players closely and have close contact with them and their club coaches. We deploy our players in such a way that benefits the team the most. I have had long talks with Robin about this and you shouldn’t be surprised if Robin plays central striker in Oranje. He’s done it before, with success, and in Arsenal’s system – which resembles what we want to do at Oranje – this works very well.”

The former Feyenoord coach – and the man who allowed Van Persie his debut in pro football – quickly added that he hasn’t made any firm decisions yet. “It does depend on the game and opponent though. Robin is wasted if he needs to fight off two strong central defenders in narrow spaces. Robin is lethal in situations where he has some time and space to control the ball, make a turn or can pass in another players. I don’t see him as the typical center target man. Klaas Jan is more equiped for a role like that. Klaas Jan can physically handle those situations well and doesn’t need the ball a lot to still score with a header or dry finish. I see Robin as a forward playmaker who can score goals, but his contribution – also at Arsenal – is more than scoring goals. Robin needs to play facing the goal, whereas Klaas Jan can play well as a striker with his back to the goal, if you know what I mean. Using Robin on the wing, means he has more vision towards the game, more space to create and he does have the freedom to roam around. Robin has a killer through pass and cross, and he can penetrate the box and score himself. But, it’s a luxury. We have a number of options for the center striker role. Dirk is yet another option, who may not be as prolific as Klaas Jan or Robin, but Dirk does a lot of hard work upfront, allowing players like Van Persie, Robben, Elia or Sneijder to benefit from that. Again, another model. We’re actually blessed to be able to shift our tactics for different circumstances.”

Van Marwijk makes a comparison with Afellay. “Ibrahim can play on the wing too, he can play playmaker and he excels as holding midfielder as well. We watch their progress at club level ( Afellay plays in a more controlling way for PSV) and take that on in our deliberations.”

Despite lack of playing time, Huntelaar, Babel and Van der Vaart are still part of the group for the friendlies against Italy ( November 14) and Paraguay ( November 18). Although it does seem that Huntelaar is now Milan’s third striker. “I’ll say it again, some players have more credit than others and I will make exceptions where I see fit. Huntelaar is our only real center striker. That is in his advantage with Oranje. After these two international games, we won’t be meeting for three months. In that timeframe, they will have to prove it. For the sake of Oranje and Huntelaar himself, I hope he’ll get to play more. I need top fit players for the WC. Talent and reputation aren’t enough. They need rhythm, so the coming months will be exciting for the three. Do I advise him to leave in the winter break? Hmmm… I don’t think switching clubs three times in one season is ideal, but if the choice is a bench spot in Milan or starting somewhere else, I’d know what I would do…”

Mark van Bommel is back in the Dutch selection. The last four games were missed due to a toe injury. Afellay, De Jong, Van Persie, Robben and Van der Wiel make their return as well, since the Australia game.