{"id":1290042,"date":"2022-12-03T17:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-03T17:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1290042"},"modified":"2022-12-03T17:30:49","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T17:30:49","slug":"netherlands-world-cup-van-gaal-gakpo","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/netherlands-world-cup-van-gaal-gakpo\/","title":{"rendered":"‘He has everything it takes to become a star’ – Louis van Gaal lauds Oranje’s history-maker Cody Gakpo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every four years it seems a talent-from-outta-nowhere emerges on the world stage. In this unprecedented Qatar-held World Cup finals, Cody Gakpo is a name on everyone’s lips.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be fair, the 23-year-old Dutch forward already had eyes on him coming into this international festival of football. Gakpo was linked with a Premier League move in the summer, with Leeds and Manchester United among those heavily linked with his signature.<\/p>\n

The latest winger extraordinaire from PSV Eindhoven saw any transfer fail to materialise, with some observers feeling it was a blessing in disguise given Gakpo had often flattered to deceive in the biggest games (aside from whenever he faces Ajax – two goals and five assists in 10 meetings to date).<\/p>\n\n

“I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United,” Gakpo told <\/span>The Times<\/a><\/strong> <\/span>in October. “In the end the deal didn\u2019t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.<\/p>\n

“It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.”<\/p>\n

There was no such disappointment. Instead, Gakpo has been nothing short of sensational. He currently leads the Eredivisie when it comes to goals (nine) and assists (12).\u00a0 In fact, he’s currently level with Erling Haaland (18 goals and three assists) when it comes to being the most productive talent across Europe’s top seven leagues. Furthermore, when adding other competitions and national team involvement, he’s produced 35 goals across 30 games (17 goals and 18 assists).<\/p>\n

To describe this as a breakthrough season would be an understatement. Such productivity doesn’t go unnoticed and with his stature continuing to grow the powers that be in Eindhoven should expect a phone call or two if they haven’t already.<\/p>\n

Gakpo follows in the footsteps of Dutch giants<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gakpo recently became just the fourth Dutch player to net in three consecutive World Cup games after Johan Neeskens (1974), Dennis Bergkamp (1998) and Wesley Sneijder (2010).<\/p>\n

“Hopefully Cody can go to the moon and back,” Virgil van Dijk said afterwards. “He is a very good player and a good boy, too. What we see in training is what you see on the pitch. There is still so much potential and I hope he can carry on showing it for us. We are very happy with him.”<\/p>\n

Nominally a right-footed winger operating down PSV’s left flank in a 4-3-3\/4-2-3-1 formation, it’s a whole new experience for Gakpo while donning orange under Louis van Gaal’s guidance. Just as they did eight years ago, the Dutch have gone with an uncharacteristic 3-5-2 system — though more 3-4-1-2 with Gakpo alternating between operating in a ‘number 10’ role behind Van Gaal’s two centre-forwards or as one of them.<\/p>\n

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?? players that have scored in three consecutive #FIFAWorldCup<\/a> games:<\/p>\n

?Johan Neeskens (1974)
?Dennis Bergkamp (1994)
?Wesley Sneijder (2010)
?Cody Gakpo (2022)<\/p>\n

Amongst ????? Company ? pic.twitter.com\/SDogw5ITpW<\/a><\/p>\n

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 29, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n