Dutch Eredivisie: 2012/13 Team of the Season
It hadn’t been an easy season: The Amsterdamsche Football Club’s title ambitions only properly started to take shape at the end of February, just like in the previous two seasons.
In the end, de Godenzonen’s collective quality prevailed. However, one can’t judge individual players by just looking at the Eredivisie table. Which players have done well? Who’ve been the best players in their position?
Blasphemy. The first word people will think of when they see a Dutch XI lined up as a 4-4-2. But to be able to include all the best players, this is the way to go. So first things first.
Goalkeeper
On the 24th of June 2011, PSV announced that they had loaned 20-year-old ‘keeper Jeroen Zoet to newly promoted RKC Waalwijk. A season, 34 Eredivisie appearances and a 7th place in the league later, Zoet had a choice: Return to PSV to challenge Przemys?aw Tyto? for a starting spot or stay at RKC for another year.
Jeroen chose the latter, and thanks to Ed de Goey’s guidance he finds himself towering above his colleagues.
Defenders
Right back: This is where it gets tricky. I promised myself that I’d judge on current performance, not talent, as we all know that talent alone isn’t enough. That’s why I chose Daryl Janmaat. The Dutchman did a very good job in his first season at Feyenoord.
Winger-tormenting fullbacks seem to have disappeared, but Janmaat’s stamina and determination makes him a well-balanced defender. Louis van Gaal agrees; Daryl Janmaat has played in 8 international games since he made his debut last September.
Stefan de Vrij
Centre backs: Steady Stefan de Vrij is a boyhood dream come true. Joined Feyenoord’s famed youth system at the age of 10, became captain at the age of 20. Rightly so, for the tall Dutchman is reliable beyond his years. A rock at the back for Feyenoord and the Dutch national team.
Celtic came knocking and off he went. It’s an acknowledgement of Virgil van Dijk’s very promising season at the heart of FC Groningen’s defense. Not afraid to move forward with the ball, Virgil is what you’d expect from a Dutch defender.
Left back: Seeing a player go from ‘zero’ to ‘hero’ doesn’t happen often. It was only a season ago that the Ajax faithful wanted Daley Blind to leave. Matches full of confidence-shattering boos, re-found confidence and an Eredivisie title later, Daley was crowned Ajax Player of the Year.
More solid than a Nokia 3310, the son of former Ajax player Danny Blind shows us what sheer determination and effort can do for you.