UEFA Nations League: Netherlands vs England - Combined XI

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.