5 reasons for Netherlands' decline as a football superpower

3) Young Dutch talents are unable to compete at the highest level

Memphis Depay: Another no.7 bites the dust at Manchester United

When was the last time we saw a Dutch prodigy take on the world? Probably a decade ago. Young players sometimes see a steep rise in popularity before making an ill-advised move to a bigger league where their sudden fall from elite to mediocrity is well recorded.

Take for example Memphis Depay. He was dubbed 'one of the best young players in the world' when he led PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title in 2014/15. 22 league goals (28 in all competitions) rewarded him with interest from Manchester United where his career took a drastic turn for the worse.

The youngster finished the season with just two league goals where he quickly found himself on the bench despite taking the no.7 jersey. However, he did score in the Europa League - which was sadly his level of competition (just like other Dutch sides).

Southampton's Jordy Clasie has been sent on loan to Belgium's Club Brugge

Other Dutch players who showed early promise and earned big moves include midfielder Jordy Clasie. Ronaldo Koeman saw it fit to spend £8m to bring him to Southampton but the only competition he managed to shine in was the League Cup where top teams played second-string sides.

Clasie now finds himself on loan at Belgian side Club Brugge after struggling to impress Mauricio Pellegrino who prefers playing Mario Lemina and Oriol Romeu in midfield.