7 Standout Players In The Dutch Top Tier Who Premier League Clubs Should Be Looking At

Next in the series of ‘who’s on offer?’ the Eredivisie. Again, for those of you that don’t know it’s the Dutch league. The Eredivisie is on the up in terms of interest and popularity which there are a number of reasons for. The first is that nine points separates the league leaders from 14th. The league is absolutely wide open this season, with seven or eight teams in the mix for the title. It’s currently Vitesse who lead the pack on 24 points with AZ Alkmaar just a point behind. The second reason is that the Dutch league sees a lot of good football played with a lot of talent on show. This frequently leaves the audience wanting more. The final reason I’ll provide today, although I could go on, is that the teams in the league often promote the use of young talents. Ajax are famous for it. Anyway, down to my list:

1. Alfred Finnbogason

If you’ve read some of my previous articles then you will have come across this name a couple of times, especially if you look at the ones which has strikers in the title. Anyway, the reason why I’ve included him is the fact that he’s notched up 14 goals in 11 appearances, as well as grabbing three assists. These are some amazing statistics for a top striker who is just 24 years old. 

2. Graziano Pelle

Like with Finnbogason, he has appeared on previous articles and for the same reason the Icelandic international did. Ten goals in 11 appearances and two assists as well are evidence of a player in devastating form and potentially someone who could be on the move in January. A team like Everton, Southampton or any side below the top seven could do with a player like Pelle.

3. Dusan Tadic

The FC Twente winger has been in and amongst the goals but more so amongst the assists, as he already has six for the season. He has five goals in addition to this which shows that the Serbian is a player to keep your eye on if you’re a Premier League team. This is especially true as he got 12 goals and 15 assists last season to show how consistent he is.

4. Adam Maher

It’s unlikely he’ll be leaving anytime soon, as he was bought in the summer and has a contract which expires in 2018, but the world of football has seen stranger things. Regardless, the 20-year-old has an awful lot of media attention surrounding him because of his abilities in the middle of the park. He is a major talent that should be picked up by a top club soon.

5. Jordy Clasie

The central midfielder has been a rock for Feyenoord since he joined back in the 2011/2012 season. He burst onto the scene the season before that with Excelsior. Being a member of the Netherlands first team at the age of 22 is pretty good but when you see that he plays regularly for them then the previous fact multiplies in brilliance.

6. Niklas Moisander

The Ajax centre-half actually started his Dutch career with Ajax as a member of their reserve team but has since played for PEC Zwolle and AZ Alkmaar before returning to Amsterdam last summer. He hasn’t looked back since first arriving in the Eredivisie. He has been one of the best and most consistent centre backs to play in the division over the past few years and is a top player that could provide some real depth for any team in need of another defender.

7. Kenneth Vermeer

The Dutchman joined Ajax back in 2005 and has been turning out for them ever since. He is a solid ‘keeper with plenty of Champions League and Europa League experience behind him. Again, like Moisander, he’d provide a great amount of depth to any side that are looking for a goalie. In most cases, he’d walk straight into the starting line up.