Europe » Rest Of Europe » Netherlands

Dutch Debate: Feyenoord Defender Ron Vlaar Is The Answer To Holland’s Defensive Worries

Goal.com’s Stefan Coerts takes a look at the development of Ron Vlaar and claims that the Feyenoord defender deserves a call-up for the Oranje…

Nov 13, 2009 1:39:12 PM

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Ron Vlaar, Feyenoord (PRO SHOTS)

Teams

Players

Ron Vlaar

Holland meet Italy on Saturday and lock horns with Paraguay four days later. Many expected head coach Bert van Marwijk to hand a number of unproven players the chance to prove their worth at international level, however, the Netherlands’ coach opted to rely on the usual suspects again instead of using the international friendlies to test some youngsters. Twente’s Wout Brama was the only new face in the Holland squad, but only after Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax) and David Mendes da Silva (AZ) withdrew.

The aforementioned Brama was one of the players who could count on the support of both pundits and fans, while midfielders Ottman Bakkal (PSV) and Leroy Fer (Feyenoord) were (and still are) waiting in line to get a first call-up as well. Their problem is that Holland are well provided in midfield and do not yet need fresh blood in their positions, meaning that a first call-up for them is still far away.

However, Netherlands could certainly use some reinforcements at the back. The Dutch might have kept a clean sheet in their previous three international games, but they have looked pretty vulnerable at the back when faced with serious opposition. England, who by no means were world-class against the Oranje, scored twice and caused the Dutch defenders all kinds of trouble after the break.

Therefore, promising defenders such as Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid) and especially in form Ron Vlaar appeared to be not too far away from a call-up. Holland do not have too many friendly games coming up before the 2010 World Cup and the games against Italy and Paraguay appeared to be perfect to test someone like Vlaar. Van Marwijk ruled differently though and made it clear that he feels Vlaar isn’t ready for a return to the Oranje yet.

The 24-year-old centre back started his professional career at Alkmaar side AZ and made his official league debut in 2005. Vlaar quickly developed into a first team regular at AZ and the young defender was included in the Holland under-20 squad for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. Months later, Holland coach Marco van Basten was confident that the youngster had what it takes to succeed at top level and handed him his first Netherlands’ call-up. The towering defender made his Oranje debut in the 2-0 away win against Czech Republic in October 2005. Vlaar had yet to shake off his substitute status at AZ, but he appeared to have a promising future ahead of him.

Nevertheless, his reluctance to sign a new deal at AZ did not go down too well with coach Louis van Gaal and the current Bayern Munich chief told Vlaar that he would not get any playing time as long he refused to commit his future to the Alkmaar side. Vlaar did not give in though and left AZ in order to join Rotterdam powerhouse Feyenoord in January 2006. The youngster quickly became a starter in De Kuip, but things went horribly wrong for Vlaar on 16 September 2007. He picked up a knee injury and had to undergo surgery on his damaged cruciate ligament. After being sidelined for well over a year, Vlaar returned to the training pitch in the 2008-’09 pre-season. Misfortune struck again though after an innocent duel with Kevin Hofland and Vlaar again damaged his cruciate ligament, keeping him off the pitch for the entire season.

Ron Vlaar | Superb comeback after knee injuries

Many wondered whether Vlaar would ever return to his former best after two injury plagued seasons, but the centre back never gave up fighting and returned to full match fitness at the beginning of the 2009-’10 campaign. Feyenoord coach Mario Been was quick to make it clear that Vlaar wouldn’t be rushed into making a quick return, but the 24-year-old did not need too long to convince Been that he was up for the challenge again. Vlaar made it into the Rotterdam side’s starting XI for the season opener against NEC and hasn’t been left out ever since.

The influential Vlaar has been the absolute leader of the Feyenoord defence so far and a call-up for the Oranje would have been more than logical. PSV defender Andre Ooijer couldn’t take part in the upcoming friendlies due to injury, while Stuttgart defender Khalid Boulahrouz is finding regular first team football hard to come by at the Bundesliga side and was expected to be left out again. However, Van Marwijk still opted to leave Vlaar out of his squad in favour of Boulahrouz, calling up only six defenders.

Ooijer has been far from impressive this term at PSV, but he’s still a regular in Van Marwijk’s squad and he’s widely expected to be included in the Holland selection for South Africa. Meanwhile, the Holland coach persists to overlook the Feyenoord man for some reason.

However, Van Marwijk’s decision to snub Vlaar is a wrong one in my opinion. The towering centre back is not only stronger in the air than Ooijer, but he’s also a lot quicker than the aging PSV defender. Additionally, Ooijer’s marking skills are nowhere near Vlaar’s, while he also has a superb long pass and adds something to his side’s build-up play, unlike Ooijer.

It remains to be seen whether Van Marwijk will also exclude Vlaar from his squad for the 2010 World Cup, but it would be a wise decision from the Holland gaffer to have a good look at the former AZ star’s development. Holland look vulnerable at the back on occasions and Vlaar could very well be the answer to this problem. The Feyenoord man missed out on the games against Italy and Paraguay, but it’s not too late yet for Van Marwijk to reward Vlaar for his superb performances.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Should Ron Vlaar have been handed a call-up for the friendlies against Italy and Paraguay or was Van Marwijk right to overlook him. Goal.com wants to know what your thoughts are on Holland’s defensive worries…

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!