5 reasons why the Netherlands are struggling at the moment

Arjen Robben Netherlands
Is there any light at the end of the tunnel for Netherlands?

#5 They’ve stagnated and other nations have grown

BRASILIA, DF - JULY 12:  (L-R) Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Nigel de Jong of the Netherlands look on prior to the medal ceremony after defeating Brazil 3-0 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Third Place Playoff match between Brazil and the Netherlands at Estadio Nacional on July 12, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil.  (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Old horses still the mainstay

As mentioned previously, other nations around Europe and around the world have grown in terms of their styles of play, the players they use and the coaches that are being introduced. Take France for example, they have a plethora of players to chose from in almost every position. They have some exciting players in the peak of their careers and players ready to make the next step into the first team.

Germany as well also have that exciting mix along with top quality coaches to ease the transition, even the likes of Italy and England can feel somewhat optimistic with their current crop of players. Holland, however, can’t feel that same optimism.

Take a look at the current Dutch squad. Out of the four goalkeepers, Jeroen Zoet is the only regular for his club with the other three being on the bench at Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton. The defence isn’t much stronger, with Daley Blind being the most experienced at the age of 27, and not to mention the midfield where arguably the two most important players are an ageing Wesley Sneijder and an injury prone Kevin Strootman.

What Holland are failing to do is mix youth with experience at vital times and have kept some of the old guards around for slightly too long. Other nations have managed to combine the two and it’s worked out well in the past, but something needs to change in Holland or else they will be making the wrong kind of history.

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