Top 11 Dutch tough players

The KNVB site sometimes publishes interesting Top 11 lists… In Dutch, as you know. This time around: the toughest players…

11. Mark van Bommel
Doesn’t shy away from a fierce challenge here and there. A master in “playing” the opponent. Maybe not the meanest ever, but definitely a very annoying guy. Collected 8 yellows in 40 matches.

10. Willem van Hanegem
The “Kromme” wasn’t only technically skilled, the midfielder didn’t mind handing out knocks whenever he needed. With his Ajax-mate Johan Neeskens - the two had massive clashes when Ajax played Feyenoord - he formed the physically and technically high quality midfield of Oranje and that’s where defense started, allowing Arie Haan to involve himself as an extra midfielder.

9. Ronald Spelbos
He failed as a striker and failed as analyst for Studio Sport. But as a center back he was fierce and fearless. A good header, a good long pass and ruthless in the one to one. Played for AZ’76 in their heydays and moved to Ajax late in his career.

8. John de Wolf
The blonde Rambo, or Wolfman… Not only feared for his wild presence. De Wolf was extremely tough on his opponents, his team mates and himself. Played regularly with broken bones. Started as a full back at Sparta, was also a penalty-specialist and moved to Feyenoord as center back via FC Groningen. Collected one yellow in his Oranje career of six games and scored in his debut.

7. Wim Rijsbergen
The famous 1974 team played majestic football but was tough as nails as well. Van Hanegem, Neeskens, Suurbier and this young Feyenoord center back. “We played with a lot of risk. Whenever we lost the ball, we needed it back quickly. Sometimes, you just needed to hand out a knock.” Moved to France after his Feyenoord days and played with Pele and Beckenbauer at the New York Cosmos.

6. Khalid Boulahrouz
Well, you don’t get the nickname The Cannibal for nothing. Khalid prefers to eat his opponents, not to speak of his tackles. Cristiano Ronaldo won’t invite the Chelsea defender on his birthday party.

5. Jan Wouters
Midfielder Jan Wouters was a huge Van Hanegem fan. Jan Concrete was his nickname. He could play football, read the game and serve up big assists. But he was also able to hand out a knock or an elbow if needed. Paul Gascoigne, anyone?

4. Johan Neeskens
His penalty kicks were taken fiercely. And sometimes De Nees would also take an opponent as collateral damage. Neeskens could penetrate and score after his runs from box to box. Angel-faced Neeskens could collect as well, as we all remember from his bloadsoaked shirt against Brazil in 1974. “I was too hard? Do they say that? Well, people always say stuff….”

3. Rinus Israel
A classical libero. Well liked for his build up play and passing, but Iron Rinus couldn’t stand losing. So, if Willem let his man go in midfield and Theo The Tank Laseroms missed his opponent, there was always Israel. “Theo and I were responsible for Johan Cruyff’s wandering. If Ajax played against us, Johan didn’t dare to come into our box. Theo would go for the ball, I would go for Johan.”

2. Theo Laseroms
Theo de Tank. Formed the defensive couple with Rinus Israel. Tough as nails.

1. Ruud Krol
“Man marking,” Krol used to say,” is like war. It’s you or him.” And that’s how he played. He was gracious and elegant, with his long hair and upright posture. His flying tackle was superb and he was so quick, like Suurbier, that opponents needed to take him on twice or thrice. With his wonderful eye and long pass, Krol will always be remembered for his build up play and the resurrection of Napoli where he became a demi-God after playing for Ajax and Vancouver.