World Cup Fantasy Preview: Holland

Holland or is that Netherlands came so close to breaking their World Cup duck in 2010.  For such a small country they produce a ridiculous volume of world class players.

Goalkeepers:

Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Jeroen Zoet (PSV)

Defenders:

Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax)

Midfielders:

Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord)

Forwards: Quincy Promes (Twente), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Memphis Depay (PSV

Fantasy players to watch

Janmaat

Fast right back who enjoys getting forward he will be a key player on the counter.  Has broken into the side the Feyenoord 24 year old is in the shop window.

Clasie

The real up your sleeve pick. 22 year old Clasie has been watched by a number of top clubs.  The 5'7 midfield player has an fantastic passing range and is a very strong tackler (name me a very big premier league club needing a player with these attributes).  Speculation around his future will only grow if he gets a starting spot and impresses.  A keen eye on Hollands warm up games may give us a clue but should he look like starting games he is likely to be an under the radar pick.

Van der Vaart

Overlooked in previous campaigns and perhaps the player to lose out if Clasie starts.  VDV is a classic fantastic player too lazy to tackle, capable of assists but selfish enough to shoot too often but at 31 past his best.

Sneijder

The star for the side of the last World Cup he is fading a little.  However a change of formation will suit Wesley sat in behind the dynamic duo of RVP/Robben.   Is likely to best an expensive pick for your side but will be on set pieces and is a big match player

Robin Van Persie

I don't need to tell you much about RVP do I.  His last World Cup he holds the Holland armband.  Fit and with a new system designed around his abilities unlike in previous tournaments where he has been pushed wide or deep he will be in many peoples thoughts.

Robben

At 30 he still maintains pace and high workrate (when he has the ball).  Also his final World Cup he is the player the opposition fear.  With Spain and Chile very aggressive there will be plenty of space on the counter, huge space in fact.

Conclusions

Reading between the lines of my post so far you can see the task ahead for Holland.  Like his new club side Louis Van Gaal has a team in transition.  The star players are fading and lack the legs suited to the playing conditions in Brazil.  The youngsters are raw but may start as the feeling is the side need to be looking to the future with their starting picks.  Van Gaal has just changed to a 352 system they may change to a 532 where either way the theory is to give their only two safe starters RVP and Robben roles where they have as much space as possible.  It is an admission of the lack of options available to him.  If they could hold Spain to a draw it woud be seen as a morale victory.  A victory in that game and Van Gaal would be called the tactical genius etc by the hype train but would give them an excellent shout of progress.

In my opinion they will find a powerful Spain and fearless Chile too strong giving them a major headache to getting into the knockout rounds.  Round two would mean a likely match with Brazil.  Therefore careful with your dutch investment this time

Stall