{"id":1087634,"date":"2019-05-06T13:38:30","date_gmt":"2019-05-06T12:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1087634"},"modified":"2019-09-29T17:25:41","modified_gmt":"2019-09-29T16:25:41","slug":"psv-could-line-up-best-players","status":"publish","type":"cult-corner","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/psv-could-line-up-best-players\/","title":{"rendered":"How PSV could have lined up if they didn’t sell their best players"},"content":{"rendered":"

PSV Eindhoven fans have had the pleasure of watching some of the greats of the game play for their beloved club down the years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The likes of Ruud Gullit, Jaap Stam, Ronald Koeman and Ronaldo, to name a few, all pulled on the famous red and white stripes during their careers.<\/p>\n

Much like their illustrious rivals Ajax, the\u00a0Rood-Witten<\/em>\u00a0(red & whites) have historically helped nurture and develop some of the best talents to grace world football. And it’s a tradition that has not stopped in recent times with the conveyor belt of talent coming out of the club from the Dutch club showing no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n

Take a glance around and you will see plenty of former PSV stars lighting up European football. This is because\u00a0there always comes a point where they have to wave goodbye to their most talented stars as they are whisked off to bigger and better things, leaving PSV fans often wondering just how good things could have been.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here’s how PSV could have lined up this season if they hadn’t have sold their key talent…<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper:\u00a0Heurelho Gomes<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a0128<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a0Eredivisie (4), 2005 KNVB Cup<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Watford<\/p>\n

PSV was Gomes’ first European club following a move from his native Brazil in 2004. It may seem hard to think now, but a decade ago the gaffe-prone keeper was taught as one of the most talented stoppers in Europe. With Gomes between the sticks, PSV managed to reach a Champions League semi-final as well as winning four Eredivisie titles.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian’s form for PSV saw him earn a move to Tottenham where he was could be equally brilliant and ridiculous, often in the same match. He is now back in the Premier League with Watford, but will call time on his career at the end of the 2018\/19 season.<\/p>\n

Right Back: Santiago Arias<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a0136<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a0Eredivisie (3), Johan Cruijff-schaal (2)<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Atletico Madrid<\/p>\n

Arias is an attacking full-back with plenty of pace and was a great servant to PSV for five years, turning out 172 times for the club in all competitions.<\/p>\n

Now 27, the Colombian got his big move in the summer, joining Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in a reported \u00a311m move, making 33 appearances for the club so far.<\/p>\n

Centre-Back: Jeffrey Bruma<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a094<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a0Eredivisie (2), 2015 Johan Cruijff-schaal<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Schalke (on loan from Wolfsburg)<\/p>\n

Bruma actually graduated from Chelsea’s academy but was unable to nail down a spot in the first-team at Stamford Bridge. However, after some loan spells, Bruma found a home at PSV, nailing down a starting place and becoming the defensive backbone of their two title-winning sides. He moved to the Bundesliga to play for Wolfsburg in 2016 and is currently on loan at Schalke 04.<\/p>\n

Centre-Back: Hector Moreno<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a061<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a02016 Eredivisie, 2016 Johan Cruijff-schaal<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Real Sociedad<\/p>\n

The Mexican signed for PSV from La Liga outfit Espanyol before the start of last season. Moreno previously played for\u00a0AZ Alkmaar, so knew the Dutch league and having impressed for Espanyol\u00a0was ready to shine for PSV. The defender was linked with a \u00a37m move to Arsenal, as per Metro<\/a>, but elected to choose regular games for PSV. He went on to become an important player at the back during his 78 appearances for the club before moving to Roma in 2017. Moreno never quite cut it in Serie A and has since returned to Spain with Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n

Left-Back: Jetro Willems<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a0144<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a0Eredivisie (2), 2012 KNVB Cup, Johan Cruijff-schaal (2)<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Eintracht Frankfurt<\/p>\n

Willems emerged as one of the most talented young left-backs in Europe in 2014\/15, creating the most chances (74) of any player in Cocu’s squad.<\/p>\n

His pace and energy make him a nightmare to track for opposing wingers and he easily slots into this illustrious team. He rebounded from a rough 2015\/16 to get his career back on track and the talented full-back racked up 144 league appearances for PSV before leaving them to join Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nLNxaF3GtmU<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Squawka\u2019s Youtube channel:\u00a0sqwk.at\/Squawka-Sub<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Central Midfield: Kevin Strootman<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a062<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a02012 KNVB Cup, 2012 Johan Cruijff-schaal<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Marseille<\/p>\n

Strootman played for PSV between 2011-13 but was unable to win an Eredivisie title with them. Despite his fitness woes, he makes the grade here after making 187 appearances for Roma, helping them to last season’s Champions League semi-final before moving to Marseille in the summer. At the height of form, Strootman is a joy to watch and has 43 caps for the Netherlands to date.<\/p>\n

Central Midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a0109<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a02015 Eredivisie, 2012 KNVB Cup<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Liverpool<\/p>\n

Wijnaldum earned his second consecutive big money summer move. Two years ago he made his big Premier League move after leading PSV to the title in 2014\/15. He was quality for Newcastle and that’s why Liverpool forked out \u00a325 million to acquire him.<\/p>\n

Since joining the Reds he has been an essential part of Klopp’s system. Providing energy and thrust from the middle of the park, he adds a dynamism the Reds sorely lack without him.<\/p>\n

Right Wing: Arjen Robben<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a056<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a02003 Eredivisie, 2003 Johan Cruijff-schaal<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Bayern Munich<\/p>\n

The Bayern Munich star needs no introduction and is still one of the most feared wingers in the game despite hitting the grand age of 35. Robben spent two years at PSV where he cemented his reputation as a terrific dribbler before Chelsea swooped in. The devastating Dutchman has since turned out for Real Madrid and is one of PSV’s most successful old boys in the modern era.<\/p>\n

Left Wing: Dries Mertens<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:\u00a0<\/strong>62<\/p>\n

Titles won:\u00a0<\/strong>2012 KNVB Cup,\u00a02012 Johan Cruijff-schaal<\/p>\n

Current club:\u00a0<\/strong>Napoli<\/p>\n

Belgian flyer Mertens can currently be found playing tearing everyone to shreds in Serie A with Napoli. Since an injury crisis forced him into a false nine role, the diminutive Belgian has gone supernova.<\/p>\n

However, it was at PSV where he really came to our attention. Like Robben he spent two years there, arriving at the same time as Strootman in what turned out to be a tasty bit of business. With Robben on the other wing, the electric duo should keep opposing full-back on their toes.<\/p>\n

No.10: Memphis Depay<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a090<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a02012 KNVB Cup, 2012 Johan Cruijff-schaal, 2015 Eredivisie<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Lyon<\/p>\n

The explosive Dutchman can play as a winger or in the supporting role we’ve popped him into here. His spectacular 22 goal haul saw him make the move to Old Trafford, but despite his excellent double against Club Brugge early in his career there he never really made the grade for United. Louis van Gaal and Jos\u00e9 Mourinho stifled him, but he also failed to raise his game. Is now playing for Lyon, trying to salvage his career. In this side, his ability to interchange with Robben and Mertens would be frightening to watch. Think of the wheels!<\/p>\n

Striker: Luuk de Jong<\/strong><\/h4>\n

League games for PSV:<\/strong>\u00a0157<\/p>\n

Titles won:<\/strong>\u00a0Eredivisie (3), Johan Cruijff-schaal (2)<\/p>\n

Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0PSV<\/p>\n

And finally, to the strikers, where Luuk de Jong takes his rightful place leading the line. It took the 28-year-old a while to settle down but he finally found a long-term home at PSV.<\/p>\n

Many English fans will remember him for his goalless spell with Newcastle United but it has been different at PSV. He managed 20 league goals as they won the Title in 2014\/15, and 26 when they retained that Championship. His current goalscoring tally for PSV stands at 112 in 202 appearances across all competitions.<\/p>\n

Honourable Mentions…<\/h4>\n

There are a number of names who didn’t quite make the cut on this occasion, however, their talents mean they get a little mention here. They’d make some bench!<\/p>\n

Jeremain Lens (Be\u015fikta\u015f), Balazs Dzsudzsak (Al-Ittihad Kalba SC) and Ibrahim Afellay (unattached) could all have an impact in attacking areas. Meanwhile, Erik Pieters (Stoke City), Stijn Schaars (SC Heerenveen) and Andres Guardado (Real Betis) also deserve a shout.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PSV Eindhoven fans have had the pleasure of watching some of the greats of the game play for their beloved club down the years. The likes of Ruud Gullit, Jaap Stam, Ronald Koeman and Ronaldo, to name a few, all pulled on the famous red and white stripes during their careers. Much like their illustrious…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":355,"featured_media":1108772,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"How PSV could have lined up if they kept their best players","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"From a modern great to a Serie A supernova \u2013 this is how PSV could have lined up if they hadn't sold their star players.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1087634","cult-corner","type-cult-corner","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"\nHow PSV could have lined up if they kept their best players<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From a modern great to a Serie A supernova \u2013 this is how PSV could have lined up if they hadn't sold their star players.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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