{"id":1092663,"date":"2019-06-07T14:47:47","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T13:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1092663"},"modified":"2019-06-07T14:47:47","modified_gmt":"2019-06-07T13:47:47","slug":"netherlands-midfield-de-jong-wijnaldum-de-roon","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/netherlands-midfield-de-jong-wijnaldum-de-roon\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Netherlands’ midfield works: the controller, the six & the vacuum cleaner"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Netherlands are on the cusp of lifting a first major trophy since 1988.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ronald Koeman’s reinvigorated Oranje needed extra-time to reach the inaugural UEFA Nations League final at England’s expense, winning 3-1.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7278637-klopp-must-solve-wenger-s-dilemma-to-take-liverpool-forward<\/p>\n

A closely fought, error-strewn game was ultimately decided by defensive mishaps. Gareth Southgate, who has done a stellar job as Three Lions boss, rued a number of lapses in concentration from his players but very few on the pitch were performing at their optimum best.<\/p>\n

Frenkie de Jong was probably the exception. Virgil van Dijk was imperious as ever, too. The former, since breaking into the Dutch national team, has become part of an irresistible midfield triumvirate which is now Koeman’s cornerstone.<\/p>\n

Back to a familiar dimension<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On arrival, following yet another failure to reach an international tournament (World Cup 2018), Koeman wouldn’t guarantee Oranje will play in their famed 4-3-3 shape under him. He wasn’t pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. His opening five matches, all friendlies, saw Oranje play a back-three, however, that would soon change once the competitive games came around, starting with a UEFA Nations League date away to newly-crowned world champions, France.<\/p>\n

By now, Koeman knew his players and would implement a system to enhance their skills. The reintroduction of a 4-3-3 saw Memphis Depay move from the left flank into a ‘false nine’ role which he’s grown into, subsequently becoming a game-changer. Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt have forged the meanest Dutch centre-back pairing since Jaap Stam and Frank de Boer.<\/p>\n

Oranje’s current midfield lacks a classical number ten, but it’s laced with three ball-playing footballers, each fulfilling a different role that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts. De Jong, who has been a revelation, plays the ‘number six’ (controlling midfielder) position effortlessly. Aside from sitting in front of the defence, retaining and recycling possession, he often drops in between Van Dijk and De Ligt to act as a third centre-back. By combining individual skill with stamina, he’s the blueprint for the modern midfielder.<\/p>\n

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Frenkie de Jong's game by numbers vs. England in percentages:<\/p>\n

100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
96% pass accuracy
71% tackles made
8% total possession<\/p>\n

He didn't even commit a foul. ? pic.twitter.com\/Z72AQxqlh7<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 7, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n