Netherlands 2014 FIFA World Cup Squad: Player-by-Player Guide
Today, the Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal announced his preliminary squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
Until the last moment, there was some doubt over the inclusion of various players. Wesley Sneijder, for example, couldn't be sure of his spot.
As it turns out, however, Sneijder is included. Paris Saint-Germain's Gregory van der Wiel, however, is not.
In this player-by-player guide, we take a closer look at Van Gaal's 30 picks.
Jasper Cillessen
1 of 30
Name: Jasper Cillessen
Date of Birth: 22-04-1989
Birthplace: Groesbeek
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 5
Club: Ajax
Brief Bio: Ajax manager Frank de Boer bought Cillessen from NEC Nijmegen, where the young goalkeeper went through the academy.
Quick-Hit Fact: At Ajax, Jasper Cillessen took over from Kenneth Vermeer after a string of howlers at the beginning of the season.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Ajax, Cillessen has had a total of 14 clean sheets this season.
Michel Vorm
2 of 30
Name: Michel Vorm
Date of Birth: 20-10-1983
Birthplace: Ijsselstein
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 14
Club: Swansea City
Brief Bio: Michel Vorm played 136 matches for Dutch side FC Utrecht before moving to Swansea in 2011.
Quick-Hit Fact: Michel Vorm was the Netherlands' reserve keeper during the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Swansea, Michel Vorm had seven clean sheets this season.
Tim Krul
3 of 30
Name: Tim Krul
Date of Birth: 03-04-1988
Birthplace: Den Haag
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 5
Club: Newcastle United
Brief Bio: Tim Krul joined Newcastle United from Dutch side ADO Den Haag at the age of 17.
Quick-Hit Fact: Despite his Premier League experience, Tim Krul will most likely act as second or third goalkeeper, behind Ajax's Jasper Cillessen and possibly Swansea's Michel Vorm.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Tim Krul kept 10 clean sheets for Newcastle United.
Jeroen Zoet
4 of 30
Name: Jeroen Zoet
Date of Birth: 06-01-1991
Birthplace: Veendam
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 0
Club: PSV
Brief Bio: After a loan spell at RKC Waalwijk, Jeroen Zoet became PSV's first-choice goalkeeper in 2013.
Quick-Hit Fact: Should he be picked, Jeroen Zoet will most likely act as third goalkeeper.
Quick-Hit Stat: Jeroen Zoet has made 46 appearances for various Dutch national youth teams.
Daryl Janmaat
5 of 30
Name: Daryl Janmaat
Date of Birth: 22-07-1989
Birthplace: Leidschendam
Position: Right-back
Caps: 13
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Daryl Janmaat is a product of Feyenoord's academy. He's from the same generation as Bruno Martins Indi, who Janmaat is likely to feature with in defence.
Quick-Hit Fact: As one of Feyenoord's best players, it's likely Janmaat will be looking for a transfer in the summer.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Feyenoord, Janmaat didn't make a single defensive error this season.
Paul Verhaegh
6 of 30
Name: Paul Verhaegh
Date of Birth: 01-09-1983
Birthplace: Kronenberg
Position: Right-back
Caps: 1
Club: FC Augsburg
Brief Bio: Paul Verhaegh joined German side FC Augsburg from Dutch side Vitesse in 2010.
Quick-Hit Fact: Paul Verhaegh has received the nod in favour of Paris Saint-Germain's Gregory van der Wiel.
Quick-Hit Stat: At the age of 30, Paul Verhaegh has only made one appearance for the Dutch national team.
Bruno Martins Indi
7 of 30
Name: Bruno Martins Indi
Date of Birth: 08-02-1992
Birthplace: Barreiro
Position: Centre-back, left-back
Caps: 13
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Bruno Martins Indi was born in Portugal, but moved to the Netherlands at a young age. While he has dual nationality, he has chosen to play for the Dutch team.
Quick-Hit Fact: Together with Daryl Janmaat, Bruno Martins Indi went through Feyenoord's productive youth academy.
Quick-Hit Stat: Bruno Martins Indi has an average pass length of 20 meters.
Stefan De Vrij
8 of 30
Name: Stefan De Vrij
Date of Birth: 05-02-1992
Birthplace: Ouderkerk aan de Ijssel
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 9
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Together with Bruno Martins Indi and Daryl Janmaat, Stefan De Vrij went through Feyenoord's youth academy.
Quick-Hit Fact: With Louis van Gaal possibly plotting a 5-3-2 formation, Stefan De Vrij—who is a centre-back—has a good chance of making the final squad.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Stefan De Vrij scored four goals for Feyenoord.
Karim Rekik
9 of 30
Name: Karim Rekik
Date of Birth: 02-12-1994
Birthplace: Den Haag
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 1
Club: PSV
Brief Bio: Karim Rekik is on loan from Manchester City.
Quick-Hit Fact: Together with former Chelsea player Jeffrey Bruma, Karim Rekik formed the centre of PSV's defence this season.
Quick-Hit Stat: Karim Rekik has made one Premier League appearance for Manchester City.
Ron Vlaar
10 of 30
Name: Ron Vlaar
Date of Birth: 16-02-1985
Birthplace: Hensbroek
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 22
Club: Aston Villa
Brief Bio: Ron Vlaar has played for AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Aston Villa.
Quick-Hit Fact: Even though he was already 27 years of age at the time, Euro 2012 was Ron Vlaar's first major tournament with the Dutch squad.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Aston Villa, Ron Vlaar created four chances this season.
Terence Kongolo
11 of 30
Name: Terence Kongolo
Date of Birth: 14-02-1994
Birthplace: Fribourg
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 0
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Terence Kongolo was born in Fribourg, Switzerland. In the Netherlands, he joined Feyenoord's youth academy. He made his first team debut in 2012.
Quick-Hit Fact: Terence Kongolo could make his debut for the Dutch national team during the actual World Cup.
Quick-Hit Stat: Terence Kongolo has made 18 appearances for various Dutch national youth teams.
Joel Veltman
12 of 30
Name: Joel Veltman
Date of Birth: 15-01-1992
Birthplace: Velsen
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 1
Club: Ajax
Brief Bio: Joel Veltman is a product of Ajax's famous youth academy. He was brought into the first team to replace Toby Alderweireld, who left for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2013.
Quick-Hit Fact: Veltman made his first international appearance shortly after making his debut for Ajax.
Quick-Hit Stat: He received a red card during Ajax's Champions League match against Barcelona in December.
Daley Blind
13 of 30
Name: Daley Blind
Date of Birth: 09-03-1990
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Position: Left-back, defensive midfielder
Caps: 9
Club: Ajax
Brief Bio: Daley Blind is a product of Ajax's famous youth academy. He started out as a left-back, but now he's manager Frank de Boer's first-choice defensive midfielder.
Quick-Hit Fact: Daley is Ajax legend Danny Blind's son.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Daley Blind has created no less than 37 chances.
Patrick van Aanholt
14 of 30
Name: Patrick van Aanholt
Date of Birth: 29-08-1990
Birthplace: Den Bosch
Position: Left-back
Caps: 1
Club: Vitesse
Brief Bio: Patrick van Aanholt joined Chelsea from Dutch side PSV when he was 17 years old. The Blues loaned him out to Vitesse in 2012.
Quick-Hit Fact: Patrick van Aanholt is one of several Chelsea players out on loan at Vitesse.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Patrick van Aanholt created a total of 29 chances for Vitesse.
Nigel de Jong
15 of 30
Name: Nigel de Jong
Date of Birth: 30-11-1984
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Position: Defensive midfielder
Caps: 69
Club: AC Milan
Brief Bio: Nigel de Jong has played for Ajax, Hamburg, Manchester City and AC Milan
Quick-Hit Fact: In 2009, Manchester City paid a reported fee of £18 million to sign the defensive-midfielder from German side HSV.
Quick-Hit Stat: At AC Milan, Nigel de Jong averaged 5 defensive actions per game.
Jordy Clasie
16 of 30
Name: Jordy Clasie
Date of Birth: 27-06-1991
Birthplace: Haarlem
Position: Central midfielder
Caps: 5
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Along with squad mates like Bruno Martins Indi and Daryl Janmaat, Jordy Clasie is a product of Feyenoord's youth academy.
Quick-Hit Fact: Small in size, the central midfielder has said he looks up to players like Xavi and Iniesta—all midfielders who are intelligent rather than physically tall.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Jordy Clasie has had a 85 percent pass accuracy for Feyenoord.
Leroy Fer
17 of 30
Name: Leroy Fer
Date of Birth: 05-01-1990
Birthplace: Zoetermeer
Position: Central midfielder
Caps: 5
Club: Norwich City
Brief Bio: Leroy Fer came through the Feyenoord academy before moving to FC Twente in 2011. In 2013, he signed for Norwich City
Quick-Hit Fact: In December 2012, Leroy Fer came close to a move to Everton. The deal feel through at the last minute
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Fer scored three goals and averaged defensive actions at Norwich
Jonathan De Guzman
18 of 30
Name: Jonathan De Guzman
Date of Birth: 13-09-1987
Birthplace: Toronto
Position: Central midfielder
Caps: 6
Club: Swansea City
Brief Bio: Jonathan De Guzman was born in Toronto, Canada. He joined the Feyenoord academy when he was 12. He received Dutch citizenship in 2008.
Quick-Hit Fact: Jonathan De Guzman is on loan from Sevilla.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Swansea City, Jonathan De Guzman created a total of 50 chances this season.
Rafael van der Vaart
19 of 30
Name: Rafael van der Vaart
Date of Birth: 11-02-1983
Birthplace: Heemskerk
Position: Central midfielder, attacking midfielder
Caps: 109
Club: HSV
Brief Bio: Rafael van der Vaart went through Ajax's youth academy. In 2010, he joined Spurs from Real Madrid.
Quick-Hit Fact: It's likely Van der Vaart will either be captain or reserve captain during the World Cup in Brazil.
Quick-Hit Stat: Rafael van der Vaart played his 100th game for the Netherlands during a friendly against Belgium in 2012.
Wesley Sneijder
20 of 30
Name: Wesley Sneijder
Date of Birth: 09-06-1984
Birthplace: Utrecht
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 97
Club: Galatasaray
Brief Bio: Michel Vorm played 136 matches for Dutch side FC Utrecht before moving to Swansea in 2011.
Quick-Hit Fact: Louis van Gaal has said on various occasions that Wesley Sneijder might not make the World Cup squad.
Quick-Hit Stat: Wesley Sneijder could make his 100th appearance for the Netherlands during the World Cup in Brazil.
Tonny Vilhena
21 of 30
Name: Tonny Vilhena
Date of Birth: 03-01-1995
Birthplace: Maassluis
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 0
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Much like most of the Dutch defense, Tonny Vilhena came through Feyenoord's youth academy
Quick-Hit Fact: Although Tonny Vilhena generally highly rated, the youngster is yet to make his debut for the senior national team
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Tonny Vilhena scored 6 goals in 32 appearances for Feyenoord
Georgino Wijnaldum
22 of 30
Name: Georgino Wijnaldum
Date of Birth: 11-11-1995
Birthplace: Rotterdam
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 3
Club: PSV
Brief Bio: In a controversial move, Georgino Wijnaldum moved from Feyenoord to PSV in 2011.
Quick-Hit Fact: Georgino Wijnaldum spent most of this season injured, and Louis van Gaal only rarely selects players who haven't played much football at club level.
Quick-Hit Stat: Georgino Wijnaldum has scored 27 goals in 76 appearances for PSV.
Quincy Promes
23 of 30
Name: Quincy Promes
Date of Birth: 04-01-1992
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Position: Right-winger
Caps: 1
Club: FC Twente
Brief Bio: Quincy Promes played for Ajax's youth academy, but moved to FC Twente in 2009.
Quick-Hit Fact: Quincy Promes is the only FC Twente player in the Netherlands' preliminary squad.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Quincy Promes created 84 chances for FC Twente.
Memphis Depay
24 of 30
Name: Memphis Depay
Date of Birth: 13-02-1994
Birthplace: Moordrecht
Position: Striker
Caps: 3
Club: PSV
Brief Bio: Memphis Depay went through PSV's youth academy. He made his debut for the Eindhoven based side in 2011.
Quick-Hit Fact: Although he plays as a striker at PSV, Memphis Depay can be deployed on either of the wings.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Depay scored 12 goals in 32 matches at PSV.
Jeremain Lens
25 of 30
Name: Jeremain Lens
Date of Birth: 24-11-1987
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Position: Winger, striker
Caps: 16
Club: Dynamo Kiev
Brief Bio: Despite being born in Amsterdam, Jeremain Lens broke through at PSV. In 2013, he left for Dynamo Kiev.
Quick-Hit Fact: At the end of the 2001/02 season, Jeremain Lens was released from the Ajax youth academy, together with Werder Bremen winger Eljero Elia.
Quick-Hit Stat: For the Netherlands, Jeremain Lens has scored 7 goals in 16 matches.
Jean-Paul Boetius
26 of 30
Name: Jean-Paul Boetius
Date of Birth: 22-03-1994
Birthplace: Rotterdam
Position: Left-winger
Caps: 1
Club: Feyenoord
Brief Bio: Jean-Paul Boetius is a product of Feyenoord's youth academy. He made his debut in a derby match against Ajax in 2012.
Quick-Hit Fact: In Feyenoord's academy, Jean-Paul Boetius played with Oranje teammates Terence Kongolo and Tonny Vilhena.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Jean-Paul Boetius created 38 chances for Feyenoord.
Dirk Kuyt
27 of 30
Name: Dirk Kuijt
Date of Birth: 12-07-1980
Birthplace: Katwijk
Position: Striker
Caps: 98
Club: Fenerbahce
Brief Bio: Dirk Kuyt was born and raised in the coastal town of Katwijk. He joined FC Utrecht from Quick Boys in 1998. Later, he would play for Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Quick-Hit Fact: Dirk Kuyt, who is nicknamed "Mr. Duracell," could make his 100th appearance for the Dutch team in Brazil.
Quick-Hit Stat: Dirk Kuijt has scored 24 goals in 98 appearances for the Netherlands.
Arjen Robben
28 of 30
Name: Arjen Robben
Date of Birth: 23-01-1984
Birthplace: Bedum
Position: Winger
Caps: 73
Club: Bayern Munich
Brief Bio: Arjen Robben has played for FC Groningen, PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Quick-Hit Fact: Arjen Robben scored the winning goal for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 2013.
Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Arjen Robben scored 11 goals for Bayern Munich. He also created 44 chances.
Robin van Persie
29 of 30
Name: Robin van Persie
Date of Birth: 06-08-1983
Birthplace: Rotterdam
Position: Striker
Caps: 80
Club: Manchester United
Brief Bio: Robin van Persie left Feyenoord, where he went through the youth academy, for Arsenal when he was 18 years of age.
Quick-Hit Fact: Robin van Persie is the Netherlands' top scorer of all time. The Manchester United man has scored more than the likes of Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Quick-Hit Stat: Robin van Persie has scored 41 goals in 80 appearances for the Netherlands.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
30 of 30
Name: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Date of Birth: 12-08-1983
Birthplace: Drempt
Position: Striker
Caps: 60
Club: Schalke 04
Brief Bio: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has played for Heerenveen, Ajax, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Schalke 04.
Quick-Hit Fact: During Euro 2012, tensions between Huntelaar and Robin van Persie apparently influenced the squad's performance.
Quick-Hit Stat: At Schalke 04, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored 11 goals this season.
Advanced statistics courtesy of Squawka.
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