Oranje worries about defense
The return of Khalid Boulahrouz was just a footnote in the KNVB press release but in fact it’s a remarkable news item. The Sevilla defender is back in the Oranje camp after more than 6 months of injuries. Officially, Boulah will have to convince Van Basten that he is fit, but it does say a lot about Van Basten’s defensive worries.
The former Chelsea defender played his last match in October 2007 against Atletico Madrid. In the last two seasons he played 19 official matches, of which 5 as a sub.
And the Oranje staff wasn’t totally happy with him during the last tournament, claiming that Boulah has a tendency to choke when the going gets tough.
The players Van Basten sent away are all logical choices, although it’s remarkable that he sent away three defensive players (Jaliens, Maduro and Emanuelson). Maduro couldn’t impress enough at Valencia, Emanuelson is injured and Jaliens couldn’t make a difference at AZ. But MArco van Basten said before the WC2006 that he wanted two players for each position. It seems almost impossible now to achieve that.
We only have six defenders for the four positions (Heitinga, Bouma, Ooijer, Melchiot, De Cler and Mathijsen ) with Boulah as a potential number seven. However, it is a big question mark whether the he is able to play the tough matches on the EC with no real match fitness.
It seems the two remaining players to leave will be one goalie and one of the holding midfielders (Landzaat, De Zeeuw, De Jong or Engelaar).
Of the offensive players, Kuyt and Afellay are still not certain of their spot. Van Nistelrooy, Robben, Vennegoor, Sneijder and Van der Sar will join the trainings camp later.
On Saturday May 24 Oranje will play the first serious friendly against Ukraine in the Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam.
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
|
Comments


Think it’s logical to give up two players for one position tihs time.
Our defence really questionable. Defence party has to concentrate on own duty then attacking build-up. We can expect wing supports only from two veterans, Melchiot and GB. GB likely to cover defensive mid-field and left flank attack support. For Boula, we need him as a stopper. He could be better than Heitinga or Ooijer.
I can’t leave Kuyt or Afellay at the expence of and holding midfielders(Landzaat, De Zeeuw, De Jong or Engelaar). MVB should think Afellay as holding role like SAF using Owen Hergraves or Alan Smith earlier.
Posted from
Australia




I always have to think about the 1974 campaign, when Israel and Laseroms (and Hulshoff) were injured. I think Michels picked midfielder Arie Haan and young Wim Rijsbergen as center backs only days before the first WC match.
Posted from
Australia




Landzaat needs to go. Pointless player to have.
De Jong can sort of cover in defence so Van Basten must have in mind to keep him.
As for Boulah – if he’s fit now, then he needs to be there. Van Basten needs to play him in the friendlies. I’d also like to see Engelaar given a try in the friendlies.
Posted from
Japan




i’m happy with boulah’s return,but following the liga,even at the beginning,in september he wasn’t convincing at all. last season at chelsea he was horrible,the weakest point of their defense. hopefully he will improve,but marco should have some doubts. anyway our defense is bad,marco doesn’t take too much risk picking boulah. at least he’s solid,and i never forget what he did against crying stupid baby ronaldo. it was beautiful,a hard but very nice gest,this is why i love him. (and really,really hate ronaldo.)
unfortunately,we don’t have arie haans and wim rijsbergens in our current squad… landzaat is obviously useless. the problem is that de jong is as useless as labdzaat.
Posted from
Hungary




It would be very tough. Just look at the french defense, the best left back and best right back of the premier league (sagna and clichy) has been left out of the squad! Nesta won’t be playing for Italy. + trezegeut, inzagi, totti, mexes… some hope plz!


Comments are closed
Send Your Tips!
Email tips[at]worldcupblog[dot]org
Netherlands Club Football News
- PSV on undefeated streak and Lazovic on... hugging streak
- Let's go tie and defeat our own 31 match undefeated streak club record!
- Another PSV player in the Oranje?
- How sad... the "poor" people get to play in a friendly.
- PSV Eindhoven plans to expand their stadium!
More Europe Blogs
France World Cup Blog
791 Articles | 10,345 Comments
Croatia World Cup Blog
192 Articles | 1,821 Comments
Czech Republic World Cup Blog
196 Articles | 320 Comments
England World Cup Team Blog
812 Articles | 2,772 Comments
Germany World Cup Blog Blog
485 Articles | 3,098 Comments
Italy World Cup Blog
567 Articles | 21,808 Comments
Netherlands World Cup Blog
2,016 Articles | 26,988 Comments
Poland World Cup Blog
353 Articles | 4,204 Comments
Portugal World Cup Blog
453 Articles | 7,018 Comments
Serbia World Cup Team Blog
168 Articles | 847 Comments
Spain World Cup Blog
235 Articles | 1,926 Comments
Sweden World Cup Blog
151 Articles | 318 Comments
Switzerland World Cup Blog
217 Articles | 327 Comments
Ukraine World Cup Team Blog
120 Articles | 806 Comments
Greece World Cup Blog
142 Articles | 70 Comments
Russia World Cup Blog
81 Articles | 143 Comments
Scotland World Cup Team Blog
101 Articles | 108 Comments
Ireland World Cup Team Blog
55 Articles | 122 Comments
Norway World Cup Team Blog
9 Articles | 6 Comments
Turkey World Cup Blog
39 Articles | 293 Comments
Romania World Cup Blog
78 Articles | 281 Comments
Austria World Cup Blog
111 Articles | 117 Comments
Denmark World Cup Team Blog
8 Articles | 27 Comments
Albania World Cup Team Blog
4 Articles | 8 Comments
Belgium World Cup Team Blog
49 Articles | 59 Comments
Wales World Cup Team Blog
61 Articles | 17 Comments
Bosnia World Cup Team Blog
31 Articles | 87 Comments
Israel World Cup Team Blog
22 Articles | 18 Comments
Monthly Archives
World 








