UEFA Nations League: Netherlands vs England

European rivals England and the Netherlands will resume their hostility again after almost a year on since their friendly match in Amsterdam. But this time, the circumstances are starkly different as the sides meet in the semi-finals of the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in Portugal tonight.

This is set to be the first competitive meeting between the teams since 1996, and it couldn't have come any sooner. Both England and the Netherlands boast a talented group of young players, many of whom took the 2018-19 season by storm for their respective clubs. Not only that, some senior members in both camps too had a fine campaign to look back on, ensuring that each come into this game at the top of their game.

This makes the duel really intriguing and worth looking forward to. But ahead of the highly anticipated kick-off, let's look at how the Three Lions and the Oranje would stack up in a stellar combined XI:

Formation used: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (England)

Normally, choosing a goalkeeper in a situation like this involving a pair of top-billing sides presents a harrowing predicament, owing to their stellar status and recent good individual performances. But in this case, it’s quite the opposite.

To choose between an underused Jasper Cillessen and an underwhelming Jordan Pickford is to be left in a quandary, for neither did enough in 2018-19 season to merit a place here. However, the Everton shotstopper gets the nod, owing to having played more games. He was brilliant at the World Cup last year for the Three Lions, but didn’t really replicate the same form for the Toffees last season.

Nevertheless, he remains manager Gareth Southgate’s No.1 choice in goal, but a failure to see him reconjure his best may posit his spot in the starting XI in danger.

Left-back: Ben Chilwell (England)

An unsung hero in Leicester City's reasonably good campaign

James Maddison’s spectacular surge to stardom eclipsed a few other players in the Leicester City squad who had a fine season of their own. Ben Chilwell is one such player, but the irony is while he’s in contention to start against the Netherlands, Maddison is forced to content with watching this from home. Chilwell was a composed presence at the back for the Foxes and a real threat going forward. He registered five assists in the league last season.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)

Liverpool metamorphosed into one of the meanest outfits in Europe last season, and much of that is down to Virgil van Dijk. He has made a mockery of the £75 million outlay by the Reds with his sublime defensive exploits that have given the likes of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski a serious run for their money. He also deservedly picked up the Premier League Player of the Year prize. Replicating these heroics with the Dutch side can help ensure more success in the UEFA Nations League.

Centre-back: Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands)

Ajax’s youngest captain in their history certainly lived up to the responsibility last season. And that’s a testament to the professionalism and mental fortitude he has shown. Uber-cool in possession but never shying away from jumping into tackles, De Ligt was also crucial to circulating the ball swiftly and effectively. He has a tendency to charge out of his position when an opportunity presents himself also saw the Barcelona target score seven times in all competitions last season.

Right-back: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)

While Manchester City proved to be an indomitable force in the Premier League again, Kyle Walker stuck out like a sore thumb after an underwhelming campaign at an individual level. This sees PSV Eindhoven’s Denzel Dumfries take his place in this side, and he also has the stats to prove he was anyways a better choice here. His four goals and seven assists blows Walker’s return of a solitary goal and an assist last season out of the park.

Holding midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands)

Just another star in Ajax's fairytale campaign

Frenkie de Jong is joining Barcelona this summer after an impressive campaign with Ajax, and here’s another chance to provide a glimpse of what’s in store. He proved to be an unflinching cover to the backline and also caught everyone's attention with his uncanny dribbling skills. He had an admirable 91% passing accuracy rate, while his penchant for daunting runs down the middle to get involved in the attack has drawn him parallels with Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.

Holding midfielder: Declan Rice (England)

West Ham's surprise package of the season

Even though the Hammers were running on fumes this season, Declan Rice was in great form, so much so that he received call-ups from both England as well as the Republic of Ireland, before swearing his allegiance to the former. Extremely vigilant with the ability to sniff out danger, Rice is difficult to beat on the ball, while his forward passes helps the team to get on the offensive in no time.

Attacking midfielder: Donny van de Beek (Netherlands)

Ajax's battering ram in the midfield this term

The Ajax team of the 2018-19 season was an inexorable juggernaut, but Donny van de Beek was the cog that kept the wheels turning. His technique and impressive range of passing brought dynamism to Ajax’s midfield, whilst also proving to be a reckoning force in front of goal with 17 goals and 13 assists in 57 appearances in all competitions.

Left winger: Raheem Sterling (England)

Sterling's barnstorming run earned him the PFA Young Player of the Prize

If you thought you saw the best of Raheem Sterling last season, then you're probably wrong. With 25 goals and 18 assists in all competitions, he has only gone a step further this time and would probably be licking his lips at the prospect of adding more to that tally and play a starring role for England now.

Right winger: Jadon Sancho (England)

Bundesliga’s breakout star of the season, Jadon Sancho has already emerged as one of the hottest young English prospects. He took the season by storm and registered 12 goals and 17 assists to put Borussia Dortmund to within touching distance of the Bundesliga title. The 19-year old turned heads with his lightning-fast speed and eye-catching trickery on the ball, and he can be the talisman to England’s fortunes in the UEFA Nations League.

Striker: Memphis Depay (Netherlands)

Despite falling short of last season's heroics, Depay had a good season with Lyon

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford had an encouraging season at a personal level, but he misses out on a spot here to his Dutch counterpart and former Red Devils flop Memphis Depay, who posted fairly better figures than him with Lyon.

With 12 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, Depay racked up another brilliant season with the French outfit as he continues to rebuild his career. He helped the Oranje progress to the semi-finals with crucial strikes against Germany and France, whilst also netting thrice in a pair of Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Harry Kane also misses the cut, following his lacklustre display in the Champions League final.

Edited by Samya Majumdar

UEFA Nations League: Netherlands vs England - Combined XI