Kuyt is excellent at Dutch Eredivisie level, but not good enough for European top ( = Liverpool). He is not a real striker and not fast and skilled enough to be the shadow striker (i.e. Litmanen, Ibrahimovic, Raul, C. Ronaldo). He has his moments, I think he reads the play well, but he just comes short overall. He compensates with his work ethics but sometimes that works against him as he is short of breath when he needs the sharpness.

He would do well at a lower level in the EPL or in a lesser competition. He makes a great sub for Oranje but is not of starting calibre.

Babel is not a winger/midfielder. He would do best in a Thierry Henry @ Arsenal role, but he can’t command that role yet, due to inexperience. He is fast, mixes horrible touches with great moments, has a lethal shot in his feet and a good mentality but he is not the cleverest of players. Sometimes he just takes horrible decisions. He’d be best in a counter-attacking team. Positioning and passing is not his forte. His defensive skills aren’t too good either, therefore midfield role is not his, I’d say. But, Babel is young and who knows he might latch on in future years… He reminds me of Gullit, who did have the smarts on the pitch though and he had that charisma. Babel lacks both. But Gullit also had trouble controlling the ball 5 out of 10 times and Gullit’s first touch wasn’t too hot either. In Gullit’s days however, there simply was more space and time than players have now. Particularly in the EPL. Babel would do well in Italy or France, I guess.

Actually I have watched both of these guys extensively for some time as I just happen to be a L’pool supporter in EPL and try to catch every game on cable over here. Here is my observations, I would be curious as to what you think of the two Oranje. I have read a good few comments on both players but curious to get an update from a Dutch perspective. My thoughts:

1) Babel is just not ready yet. He will be great in a year or two, but he just does not seem to have adapted at all to EPL in a good way yet. Maybe Rafa’s stupid rotation system and lack of playing time is to be blamed. He is unquestionably a very skilled player, but he is too young, inexperienced, and his winger skills in the EPL is not properly developed. Not sure if he fits EPL at all. He tries to take on defenders like the master diver, Ronaldo, but his crosses are terrible. Same thing today against Inter in CL, looked lively in the beginning and then couldn’t do anything to deliver a cross, would walk into trouble and got subbecd quite rightfully I might add to Pennant (who served Kuyt with cross for the first goal).

2) Kuyt is a massive disappointment. He does not have the inexperience and age excuse. He should be banging in goals, but he never did. Now more and more is beginning to be used as a winger/midfielder when Crouch came on. His good things are his excellent work rate and heart, but his ability to be where it counts as a striker ( a la MVB in his day) is non existent. I think L-pool is likely to shop him around in the summer and go in a different direction.

Again, if I am Oranje coach, one of the biggest problems I will have with Dutch players playing for the Reds is just in general the lack of consistent playing time together with the same players to be honest. Who knows who will be starting when? This guy (Rafa) managed to bench both Torres and Gerrard against Barnsley in the last round of the FA cup which is why they lost. There has to be some continuity. Even Pepe Raina isn’t starting every game. Go figure…Hopefully the next Oranje coach can zero in on a starting formation soon and get people comfortable (a la Italian style, not too many surprises in that starting lineup and they sure has the results to show for it…)