Scouting the 10 Best Players in the Dutch Eredivisie

With the Bundesliga and La Liga currently squaring off for the right to be considered Europe's premier powerhouse, how about a change of scenery and a look at some of the stars lurking elsewhere on the continent.

Not currently up with the consistent standards witnessed around some of Europe's major leagues, the Eredivisie is still packed with considerable talent and has produced a conveyor belt of elite players over the years.

The youth game in the Netherlands is especially vibrant and many of the league's top talent are in the primitive years of their career.

Indeed, the Eredivisie is the ideal setting for these younger prospects to experience first team football and develop their game, before eventually making a move to a bigger stage.

Here's a look at some of the top talent currently playing in the Dutch league.

Leroy Fer

Leroy Fer appeared on the brink of a move to the Premier League in January, with Everton seemingly prepared to pay just under £10 million for his services.

However, complications arose over the Dutchman's injury status and the move was temporarily shelved, leaving Fer to continue on at Twente.

There the box-to-box midfielder has continued to impress, as he has done over the past few seasons, providing pace, energy and a combative presence from the middle of the field.

Dries Mertens

Much of PSV's attacking threat over the past two years has been provided by Dries Mertens, who spends most of his time occupying a left-sided attacking berth.

The Belgian international has accumulated 14 league goals this season and has helped his side score an astonishing 93 goals, 19 more than any other side at an average of three goals per game.

His consistent form has unsurprisingly seen him linked with a move to England, although for now he remains one of the Eredivisie's most talented performers.

Bruno Martins Indi

Bruno Martins Indi's career has been in fifth gear during recent months, with the Feyenoord defender rapidly establishing himself as a Dutch international at just 21 years of age.

Born in Portugal, the left-sided defender plays with particular poise and composure at the back, while keeping on top of opposing strikers with his considerable pace and power.

His accomplished performances for club and country have already attracted a host of admirers, with Tottenham the most recent side to be linked.

Jordy Clasie

Sticking with the Feyenoord theme, but moving slightly further up the pitch, Jordy Clasie's another especially prominent performer in Dutch domestic football.

Diminutive in stature, the midfielder oozes confidence, class and composure on the ball, spreading the play with authority that belies his youth.

Still just 21, he's already received full international honours for the Netherlands and seems destined for a bright future that may soon be at with major club.

Adam Maher

Adam Maher has quickly become one of the leading players in the Eredivisie, where's been one of the few positives to emerge from disappointing season at AZ Alkmaar.

Blessed with quick feet and a sharp change of direction, Maher suits an attacking midfield role where he's given a license to run at defenders and cause trouble in the final third.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been fast-tracked into the international setup, and has already been the subject of supposed interest from the very top clubs around Europe.

Stefan de Vrij

For years, the Netherlands have been forced to blend a crop of world-class attackers with some mediocre defenders at international level, a trend Stefan de Vrij is hoping to end.

The Feyenoord man is a commanding centre-back, with a fierce tackle and excellent positional sense, as well as the subtlety required to bring the ball out of defence and launch attacks.

Already captain of his club side at just 21 and very much viewed as the defensive future of his country, De Vrij seems destined to quickly reach the very top of the game.

Kevin Strootman

PSV's Kevin Strootman has been a player linked to the Premier League for the past couple of seasons after some consistent performances for both club and country.

A gifted technician, the Dutch midfielder has all the physical attributes that automatically associate a player with English clubs, while also possessing an uncomplicated but efficient passing game.

Strootman also has a strong eye for goal to accompany his lust for a challenge and is already a relatively experienced international at just 23.

Siem de Jong

The newly installed Ajax captain, Siem de Jong, has enjoyed a consistent few years in the Eredivisie, and seems poised to lead his side to a third consecutive title in the next few weeks.

This season the Dutch international has hit the back of the net 11 times in 31 league games, but is competent enough to perform in either a midfield role or just off a striker.

He has shown impressive leadership skills over the course of this current campaign and is another player that could be close to a move away from the Netherlands to a major club.

Wilfried Bony

Unquestionably the most lethal striker currently plying his trade in the Netherland's is Vitesse's Ivorian striker, Wilfried Bony.

The physical front man has been scoring goals for fun this season, already racking up a mammoth haul of 30 league strikes in just 27 appearances.

Bony brings impressive composure to the penalty area, with exceptional anticipation and an ability to create space. Traits it seems will attract a deluge of offers from top clubs in the summer transfer window.

Christian Eriksen

One man who needs little introduction to the majority of football fans in Ajax's Danish international, Christian Eriksen.

Still just 21, the attacking midfielder is an elite prospect who's been on the cusp of making a major breakthrough for the past couple of years.

After a slow start to the season he's developed his game and produced some of the most consistent play of his career, proving integral to Ajax's table topping form.

With a rapidly expiring contract, it seems only a matter of time until the 2011 Eredivise Young Player of the Year moves on to a major European outfit, where he's almost certain to shine.

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