Netherlands strikers have been dropping like flies during the international break.
First, Roma star Donyell Malen withdrew from the squad due to a knee issue. Then, Brian Brobbey was forced to pull out owing to a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Germany. Cody Gakpo is the latest Oranje casualty.
Head coach Xavi must be scratching his head at the mounting problems facing the Netherlands. Conversely, he at least has Mexx Meerdink to call upon.
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Meerdink should have earned his first Netherlands cap last year. Called up to the national team in October 2025, the AZ Alkmaar striker was forced to withdraw from the squad owing to an injury sustained in training.
The incident mirrors the experience of his father, Martijn Meerdink, 20 years ago. Meerdink senior did at least go on to represent his nation, albeit just the once. Meerdink junior has already eclipsed the former winger.
Meerdink’s bright start to international life
Granted, Meerdink hardly covered himself in glory having replaced Brobbey in the first half against Germany. However, the striker made amends in the 2-1 win over Serbia in Belgrade last month. Indeed, Meerdink scored both goals on his full debut, netting with two of five shots. It was a dream evening that became reality.
The AZ hitman drew a blank in the recent 2-2 draw with Greece. He’ll now hope to mark his fourth Netherlands appearance with another match-winning display.
What’s key for Xavi’s side is that Meerdink offers the attacking variety that is required when operating as the lone frontman in the favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. He’s not the conventional number nine that waits for the chances to come to him. Rather, Meerdink drifts across the attack, opening up space that can be exploited by attacking teammates.
With Gakpo – prior to injury – and Ruben van Bommel operating from the left, and Crysencio Summerville starring from the right, the wide pair are working with an incredibly mobile frontman that presents the chance to cut in from their respective flanks.
Similarly, Guus Till or Tijjani Reijnders are able to make the darting runs from the number 10 role to crash the opposition box in the Oranje’s pursuit of goal. Meerdink is the Netherlands’ top scorer in the UEFA Nations League to date. Meanwhile, Gakpo and Reijnders both have one goal apiece, each of which were scored with the 23-year-old leading the line.
Dutch fluidity with Meerdink starting
By deploying Meerdink as the lone forward, the Dutch are a more fluid offensive side. Brobbey isn’t a poor option for Xavi by any stretch. However, the Sunderland man is more of the old-fashioned number nine. A predatorial forward that is able to bully defenders and hold up the play for teammates.
With Meerdink, however, there’s a little more variety to the way the Dutch attack. He’s creating a respectable 2.2 chances per 90 in the UEFA Nations League, and this link up play is key for a Netherlands outfit that boasts an impressive array of supporting stars. What’s more, Meerdink is making 19.3 passes per 90 for the Oranje, an increase on Brobbey’s 7.7, albeit from a significantly smaller sample size.
Even at club level, though, this rings true, with Meerdink chipping in with 20 passes per 90 in the Eredivisie, more than Brobbey (15) in the Premier League.
Netherlands maximising territorial dominance
This is incredibly useful in a possession-heavy team like the Netherlands. Across their three Nations League games so far, they have averaged 63.2% possession, significantly more than Greece (38.3%) and Serbia (32.6%). They need their frontman to pull defenders out of position with clever movement to open up gaps that can be exploited.
Additionally, he does offer a physical presence in the final third should the Netherlands need to adopt a more direct approach. This is evident in that Meerdink is committing an average of 2.1 fouls per 90 in the Eredivisie this season. While this drops with the national team, Meerdink is being fouled 1.8 times per 90 under Xavi.
And with the style of play the Spaniard seeks to implement, having a striker who can combine both impressive off-the-ball movement with physicality is a huge boost. Xavi is a manager who wants his team to dominate possession. Crucially is that Meerdink is a forward that helps turn dominance into goals.
He was a surprise inclusion in the Netherlands national team for the first international break since the World Cup. In the time since, Meerdink has grasped the chance to nail down a regular spot under Xavi. It’s now up to the young striker to ensure he remains in his plans going forward.