England vs Netherlands: How the Dutch transformed themselves from also-rans to European contenders

For anyone wondering exactly how the Netherlands have so quickly recovered from two dismally failed qualifications to become a team who now suddenly look like European champions, it’s actually probably worth taking a trip to Gelderland next week, rather than Portugal for the Nations League this weekend.

There, the 30th international Marveld Tournament will be taking place. The event is not just one of the most prestigious underage competitions on the continent but - crucially - the last one for under-15s before they turn under-16. The latter is the age band at which young players can move within the EU, and players can be picked up for a mere £130,000 at the end of contracts.

It is why many of the top clubs often send their first-team scouts, rather than just their academy scouts, to the event.

And despite that, or maybe because of that, all of the top Dutch clubs - Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord - will put on something of a show.

One agent who insists on attending the event every year says there is something that usually stands out. It is that, in the Dutch sides, there are kids who look small and frail and not yet 16 who many other teams wouldn’t dream of putting out.

At Marveld, though, they are often the centre of play and on the ball more than anyone.

The Dutch, in other words, still show no fear with such decisions.

There is a bravery there. That is part of their football culture, but also why that culture has kept pace with the times.

This is essentially a huge reason why they have so quickly got back on track, to streak ahead.

As one source familiar with the set-up explains, while everyone else in 2016 was still wondering exactly how the Dutch had fallen so far behind, they had already started to take some of the necessary steps.

Some of this did of course just come down to natural fallow periods.

It is what many in the game say is happening to Germany right now, where there are relatively underwhelming youth generations.

open image in gallery

One of the reasons put forward for that, however, is that their youth coaching has been seen as becoming a bit too complacent; a bit too accustomed to merely churning out technically adept all-rounders rather than players of different positions with spark.

This is what happened with Holland for a time, leading up to 2016. It was why Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben stayed as primary players in the team for so long. The 1987, 1989 and 1991 generations didn’t really step up in the manner expected.

The 1997 and 1999 generations certainly have stepped up, in the guise of Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Mattijs de Ligt.

Again, some of this is the mere luck of generationally good players coming through, which is something no one can manufacture or guarantee. But you can put in place the best conditions for it, which is what the Dutch have done. They have improved their coaching, modernised it, so it is the best it can possibly be. You don't see a preponderance of technically proficient passers any more.

open image in gallery

Many also say the next wave of Dutch talent is the best in the game.

It is a slight irony, though, that this isn’t the sole source of this specific team's resurgence.

Virgil van Dijk - possibly the best defender in the world right now, probably one of the top five players in the world - is one of those rare individuals who kind of forged his own way to the top. He has the abundant natural talent, of course, but there is a sense of him being separate the system. He developed on his own. He is product of nothing but himself.

It is similarly striking that those like Ryan Babel, Memphis Depay, Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong are still solid members of the squad, and often senior starters.

That emphasises that the Dutch are still someway between generations, a bit like Spain 2006, Germany 2006-08, France 2014 or even a lot of the team they play on Thursday, England 2016.

On Thursday, though, they’ll also put out what might be the strongest spine in the Nations League and one of the best in world football.

It comes from old Dutch bravery, and has forged a fine modern new side.