Van der Vaart Criticizes the Hype Surrounding the Dutch National Team Drawing Parallels with Van Basten
Rafael van der Vaart has expressed his views on the Netherlands national team selection, highlighting concerns over player capabilities. In his column for De Telegraaf, the former international emphasized a preference for players excelling in top European leagues. Van der Vaart argues that players from the Eredivisie do not enhance the Dutch team’s quality.
Concerns Over Player Selection in the Dutch National Team
Van der Vaart particularly criticized the promotion of Guus Til, questioning why some players are brought forward when more experienced midfielders are available. He believes it is acceptable for players to perform well in clubs like Feyenoord or PSV without necessarily being suited for national team duties.
- Van der Vaart emphasizes the importance of selecting impactful players for the national team.
- He recalls how former coach Marco van Basten invited lesser-known players, leading to distrust among established internationals.
The Quality of the Goalkeeper Position
Van der Vaart also pointed out concerns about the quality of goalkeepers in the current squad. He stated that while the team possesses quality in various positions, the goalkeeping department lacks standout talent.
- The current goalkeepers are Bart Verbruggen, Flekken, and Robin Roefs, whom he considers adequate.
- However, he noted the absence of world-class keepers like Edwin van der Sar or Maarten Stekelenburg in recent years.
Van der Vaart concluded that there seems to be uncertainty regarding the number one goalkeeper role, which could undermine the team’s overall stability. As he notes, even a single error can lead to a change in the lineup, emphasizing the need for a clear leader in goal.
In summary, Van der Vaart’s critical perspective on the Dutch national team underscores the importance of selecting players from high-level competitions to maintain the team’s success on the international stage.
