The Netherlands have bowed out of Euro 2020 after a 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic in the 16s, a round or two ahead of what many expected of them this summer.
Oranje is full of both young talent and useful experience, despite the absence of Virgil van Dijk. They were not favorites, but you would definitely say that they are among the top seven or eight teams in Europe.
And hey, maybe if Matthijs de Ligt did not get a red card for his combo foul on Patrik Schick and obvious handball, then maybe we are not discussing a premature exit. But it’s tournament football – there’s always a bit of luck and luck / misfortune involved.
Barcelona-bound Memphis Depay and skipper Georginio Wijnaldum made headlines during the group stage when the Dutch sealed a perfect Group C record. But the youngsters also made a name for themselves, especially Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
The 19-year-old entered the midfield against Austria and northern Macedonia and looked like an experienced veteran and showed a calm and maturity that should be several years beyond his game. With great speed and size about him too, you would be forgiven for believing that Johan Cruyff had specifically designed Gravenberch as the perfect midfielder to play total football.
Gravenberch played with the northern Macedonians / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Of all the talk of modern midfielders needing to be “unlocked” or “released”, Gravenberch looks like the type of player who does not need to be put in any of the mounts – he does not need to have his hand, but as he gets older, can almost certainly be the one who gives it help to others.
It is no surprise that he has been linked with a move to Liverpool as a possible replacement at club level for Wijnaldum. Jurgen Klopp has built a winning formula on the basis of midfielders who can do everything, who do 8/10 performances every week. The chance for the German to nurture an already reliable player in Gravenberch must have Kopites licking his lips.
Frank de Boer could not do anything to legislate for De Ligt’s stupid red cards, but at least he knows in the future that the next generation of Dutch superstars beyond the Juventus defender can also increase.
De Boer will need to use Gravenberch more in the future / ANP Sport / Getty Images
The Netherlands left the 2020 European Championships with a whine – Marten de Roon could not get close to his Czech counterparts, Frenkie de Jong spent much of the match whining and complaining, and captain Wijnaldum – praised for his Frank Lampard impressions in the group stage – was nowhere to be seen, complete only ten sessions in 90 minutes.
The need for a player like Gravenberch is obvious, and the Dutch can be happy that they have a prototypical total football player to build around for the 2020s and beyond.
