Scouted! The 7 most exciting Eredivisie prospects who’ll soon be ripe for Premier League progression
Holland has long been a happy hunting ground for English clubs in search of unpolished gems to make their own. Sam Planting profiles the (new) new kids on the block
The story Dolberg has been the breakout star of the current Eredivisie season. The 19-year-old Danish striker has established himself as Ajax’s most prolific attacker, even though he came to Amsterdam less than 18 months ago as a total unknown.
In 25 club appearances, Dolberg has scored 11 goals and contributed four assists, while his minutes-per-goal rate stands at an impressively low 144. He gained national attention after a brilliantly dispatched opening goal against Feyenoord in October, and followed that up with a hat-trick performance against NEC in November.
He’d be perfect for… Basically every team who dares to start a teenage striker. Dolberg is the complete package: deceptively fast, a calm finisher and boasting a magical first touch. Off the field, Dolberg is known for his stoic personality – he never seems to be fazed by the magnitude of a situation.
Premier League destination Manchester United could find their next word-class centre-forward in Dolberg, but their city rivals have already been linked – according to one of their own scouts. But there will be plenty of other suitors, because a teenage version of Robert Lewandowski doesn’t pop up every day.
The story A right-footed, technically gifted and speedy left winger, Bergwijn seems to be PSV’s best man to fill the hole that Memphis Depay left in Eindhoven when he departed to Manchester in the summer of 2015.
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Manager Phillip Cocu has been hesitant in fully trusting him to start matches, but whenever Bergwijn is on the field, PSV tend to play better. He’d be a welcome sight for a club in need of offensive creativity.
He’d be perfect for… A team that’s willing to be patient with him. Bergwijn is a massive talent, but needs time to fully develop.
Premier League destination Ronald Koeman hasn’t misfired yet when it comes to bringing Eredivisie talent to his Premier League sides. Besides, Everton could really use a winger right now.
3. Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
The story Already a fan favourite at 17, centre-back De Ligt seems to be another sure-fire winner to emerge from De Toekomst, the youth facility in Amsterdam.
Despite his extremely young age, it seems to be a matter of months before manager Peter Bosz simply can’t afford to not start him on a weekly basis. De Ligt has thoroughly impressed in his five starts in domestic cup and Europa League games so far.
He’d be perfect for… A top side who values build-up from the back. De Ligt is big (6ft 3in), but an efficient passer with both feet and a diligent man-marker.
Premier League destination De Ligt seems to check all the boxes Pep Guardiola is looking for in a centre-back at Manchester City. His playing style is reminiscent of John Stones’s.
4. Rick van Drongelen (Sparta Rotterdam)
The story Rick van Drongelen has only just turned 18, which makes it all the more incredible that the left-footed centre-back has already started 29 games for Rotterdam’s second-biggest club.
Van Drongelen’s stellar defending at both centre-back and on the left has attracted attention from various bigger clubs in the Eredivisie.
He’d be perfect for… Lower-tier Premier League clubs. Van Drongelen seems cut out for English football; a tough, resilient defender who excels at aerial duels and challenges on the ball.
Premier League destination With Marko Arnautovic, Bruno Martins Indi and Erik Pieters, Stoke have enjoyed the services of the more physical Eredivisie talents from past years. Van Drongelen could be the next one.
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5. Abdelhak Nouri (Ajax)
The story “Soon, Nouri will be leading our team.” Sentences like that are as frequently uttered within circles of Ajax fans as ‘Winter is coming’ is in Game of Thrones.
The 19-year-old Dutch-Moroccan playmaker headlines a golden generation of talent within Ajax’s youth system, and is nearing his big breakthrough at the highest level.
He’d be perfect for… Any team that plays a possession-oriented style. Nouri is a miniature version – quite literally, at 5ft 6in – of a prototypical Barcelona midfielder, with silky dribbling skills, fancy passing and smart positioning.
Premier League destination If Nouri’s small stature isn’t off-putting for a successful Premier League career, he could be a perfect fit for Arsenal.
6. Donny van de Beek (Ajax)
The story Van de Beek is often called an ‘alleskunner’ by Dutch football experts – a jack-of-all-trades. The 19-year-old is a complete player, fit for every midfield position.
Because he has shared the midfield with the flashier Nouri in various youth teams, Van de Beek gets characterised at times as a boring player. But he has yet to deliver a mediocre performance in 21 first-team appearances.
He’d be perfect for… A team that lacks composure or intelligence in midfield. Van de Beek is a very smart player who can adapt his role to whatever his team needs.
Premier League destination The industrious Van de Beek seems perfect for Tottenham, where he could fit the high-octane pressing style that Mauricio Pochettino demands, and complement a player like Christian Eriksen well.
The story Troupée’s emergence this season has gone fairly unnoticed, but is impressive nonetheless. The 18-year-old is a typical 21st-century wing-back; a physical marvel who relies on stamina and strength, but is also a good crosser.
He’d be perfect for… Any team that asks its full-backs to cover loads of ground. Troupée often covers the entire right flank when Utrecht have possession of the ball.
Premier League destination Troupée would be a good addition for teams that play in a system with wing-backs – Watford, for instance.
