The Netherlands have produced some of the Premier League’s best ever players, even though it’s the players that you could never get on the back of your shirt, without spending an extra £20.
Some of the longest – yet coolest – names in football – and much like Brazilians, their names alone make you think that they’re a half decent player. Unfortunately, though, two players of that mould haven’t made this list – Andy Van der Meyde and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Thankfully for every Jan Van, there’s your…well, why don’t you take a look!
12) Bolo Zenden
Remembered for his brilliant hair, the former Barcelona man seemed like he was around forever.
Source: Twitter
11) George Boateng
A Middlesbrough legend.
Source: WhoAteAllThePies.TV
10) Dirk Kuyt
A hardworking player, who actually had plenty of quality, too. We don't think anyone ever managed to pronounce his name correctly during his long period in the Premier League, though.
Source: Squawka
9) Rafael Van Der Vaart
Somehow ended up at Spurs when Daniel Levy had managed to put together something of an envious dream team.
Source: WorldSoccerTalk
8) Edgar Davids
A wizard on the pitch (When not starting scraps at charity SoccerAid matches!)
Source: EnfieldIndependent
7) Arjen Robben
World-class. We'd have loved to have seen him for longer in the Premier League, but just not at Chelsea.
Source: FanShare
6) Robin Van Persie
Whilst despised by Arsenal fans, we all must accept his quality. Unreal when he wasn't injured - Holland's Michael Owen.
Source: PremierSeason
5) Jaap Stam
Frightening centre-half. No idea how Holland have gone from Stam to the likes of Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan De Vrij.
Source: Goal
4) Marc Overmars
The perfect winger.
Source: Twitter
3) Ruud van Nistelrooy
Here it gets pretty tough as we head into the final three who would probably rank in an all-time best Premier League team.
Clinical.
Source: GreatestSportingMoments
2) Dennis Bergkamp
An invincible. He'd have scored a lot more if he wasn't playing alongside Henry.
Source: Youtube
1) Edwin Van Der Sar
This man is a real Premier League legend. The league's best ever goalkeeper.
Source: Pintrest
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There are some honourable mentions to go out to: Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Patrick Kluivert – who all were exceptional in their own ways, but didn’t quite make the top 12, here.
It’s shocking that the Netherlands have never won the World Cup with the amount of talent they’ve produced. More importantly, how have Holland’s national team managed to drop in quality so much? Like England in some ways, the Dutch fans must reminisce about the times they had a national team which could compete with anyone.
But I’ll tell you who has won the World Cup, and that is Germany. And you can see why when you checkout this lot that played in the Premier League!
9. Lukas Podolski
The answer Arsenal never knew they had to their Robin van Persie-shaped hole. Could have been so much more if given the chance but still a quality player with an unbelievable left foot.
Source: Twitter
8. Christian Ziege
Moved to Liverpool and won the treble in his first season. Easy.
Source: Twitter
7. Jerome Boateng
Joleon Lescott was preferred to him when at Manchester City. Laughable.
Source: Twitter
6. Jurgen Klinsmann
The best way to describe Klinsmann when he came to Spurs is hated. His dirty diving had knocked England out the World Cup four years earlier and his transfer wasn't a popular one. At the end of the season he had won over Tottenham fans banging in 21 goals and winning the FWA Footballer of the year.
Source: Twitter
5. Jens Lehmann
Being one of the rare breed of Arsenal players who won trophies this millennium probably says more about him than anything else.
Source: Twitter
4. Dietmar Hamann
The man who turned around Istanbul 2005. Many will claim it was Gerrard, but it was Hamann who came on at half time with his team 3-0 down. Did the same in the 2006 FA cup final coming on with his team 3-2 down and walking away with a winners' medal. You can't argue with facts.
Source: Twitter
3. Mesut Ozil
Too good for Arsenal and too clever for his teammates. Any misplaced pass he makes is probably the intended receiver's fault - not on the same wavelength.
Source: Twitter
2. Robert Huth
It does sound like a joke, but the Leicester City defender has three Premier League titles!
Source: Twitter
1. Michael Ballack
Who else but the German enforcer, one of the greatest players of this generation. A truly ambidextrous player you wouldn't want to be on the end of a shot from either foot.
Source: Twitter
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