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Originally Posted by Bertrand
I didn't know Siem de Jong had been given time for the national side; that's great! He sure left a positive impression on me when I last saw Ajax play! Any chance he leaves the bench in the tournament (or any chance he gets a selection)?
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With Van Gaal's work method that's really hard to say at this point, but I wouldn't bet money on him going to Brazil just yet.
This time he was selected as a late replacement for Kuijt who pulled out last-minute. He played as a striker (in the absence of Van Persie, Huntelaar, Kuijt... and Lens playing wide) but under normal conditions he wouldn't be a contender for that position.
Of course he's midfielder by trade, but his main advantage - being capable of playing multiple positions - seems to be his biggest disadvantage as well. But if he has a good season with Ajax he has a chance. I guess right now the most likely midfield for 2014 would look something like this:
Strootman - Sneijder/Van der Vaart - de Guzman/Nigel de Jong
... but other than Strootman it's still anyone's guess really.
Van Gaal has said several times that only Robben, Van Persie and Strootman are guaranteed a place in the squad for 2014, the rest still have to prove themself. No less than 21 players have made their international debut in the past 15 months and there hasn't even been a 1st goalkeeper... he has played 5(!) different ones.
The central duo in defense (there are about 6-7 candidates I suppose) are really vulnerable everytime an opponent puts them under pressure. That was also the case in Van Marwijk's teams, but at least Mathijsen and Heitinga had plenty of Primera Division/Bundesliga/Premier League experience and Nigel de Jong/Van Bommel provided an extra (brutal) lock on the door. The current central defenders pretty much all play in the Dutch league and are neither mega-experienced or ultra-talented.
Thanks for the French review, from what little I saw I really liked Pogba. Hadn't seen him before.
I do hope Wenger wins the PL soon. --- edit: wins it again obviously since he has won it a bunch of times back in the day.