Player Focus: Van Gaal's Possible Strootman Replacements

In a conversation with Algemeen Dagblad earlier this year Louis van Gaal reiterated the importance and growing influence of Kevin Strootman. So, as you could imagine, his absence this summer has left him in a quandary.

Some, including Ronald Koeman, have suggested implementing a new formation (either 3-5-2 or the not-very-Dutch 4-4-2) as means of compensating, but that's unlikely to happen. From day one Van Gaal made one thing clear: he will adhere to the "Dutch school". 

The approach he chose is essentially the 'Ajax model'; creativity and clever play in a proactive and fluid 4-3-3. Following his blueprint a midfield triumvirate is made up of a 'controller', 'box-to-box midfielder' and 'incisive playmaker'. Strootman would have acted as the 'box-to-box midfielder'; a role that balances the Dutch midfield, and Van Gaal is certain to stick with that type of midfield, especially after Cesare Prandelli stated during last summer's Confederations Cup the need for "athletes" at this level.

Bert van Marwijk, who Strootman debuted under, described him as a mix between Nigel de Jong and Rafael van der Vaart: "not too conservative but not too offensive". Originally a trequartista, his attacking instincts remain, as he has shown in his first campaign with Roma, allowing him to move between defence (3.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game) and attack (5 goals from 36 shots and 6 assists from 47 key passes). He will be missed in Brazil.

But one man's loss is another man's gain; the currently sidelined Leroy Fer could benefit the most from Strootman's withdrawal. Prior to his troublesome hamstring injury Fer – who is Norwich's third-highest rated player (6.92) – was displaying the form that saw him earn four caps under Van Gaal. 

A graduate of Feyenoord's esteemed academy, Fer, in his final season with FC Twente before moving to England, showcased his robustness as a box-to-box midfielder; a threat in the opposition half and a presence in his own: breaking up attacks as well as starting and finishing them. Sami Khedira and Yaya Touré are references. His impeccable tackling and good positional sense allows him to win possession and subsequently distribute it effectively, averaging 2.8 tackles, 1 interception and 40.4 passes per game this season. But what impresses observers the most is his engine; those runs enable him to cover ground, and is something highly valued by Van Gaal. 

He is also the people's choice, top in every newspaper and internet poll, but the ultimate vote belongs to Van Gaal and there's fierce competition, including from the metronomic Stijn Schaars, who succeeded Strootman in Eindhoven last summer. Operating in the same role, he's averaging 2.3 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 56.4 passes per game, and 6 of the 50 chances he has created for PSV this season have been converted. Another choice, who has featured eight times under Van Gaal, is Jonathan De Guzmán: 1.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 56.4 passes per game; 47 shots, 4 goals; 50 key passes, 3 assists for Swansea.

Schaars, aged 30, is the experienced candidate. His past with Van Gaal – they won the championship together as captain and manager at AZ – could work to his advantage; once seen as Phillip Cocu's heir, in terms of leadership he's superior to Fer and De Guzmán. However, with Van Gaal, age is but a number.

A long shot is 19-year-old Tonny Vilhena, and an even longer one is Marco van Ginkel, whose season – after joining Chelsea from Vitesse last summer – was cut short in September when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (the same injury Strootman suffered) in a League Cup tie against Swindon. But there's a glimmer of hope after he returned to action last Friday in an U21 game for the Blues. "Everybody has dreams, but whether it is realistic... you obviously do not know. Of course I know I have to play minutes to be noticed."

Van Ginkel last year won the prestigious 'Dutch Football Talent of the Year'. Everything about him - playing as a 'number eight' - shone: playmaking, vision and intelligent movement. It came to be acknowledged in the Netherlands that Van Ginkel is the blueprint for the modern dynamic box-to-box midfielder – energy and athleticism intertwined with an eye for goal (8 goals in 33 appearances plus 10 assists) – which neatly brings us to Vilhena. He is cut from the same cloth, despite a contrasting playing style.

Vilhena, naturally blessed, possesses every attribute to play the box-to-box role. His fleet of foot and pace compliment a razor sharp brain allowing him to play between the lines. He has four goals and five assists for Feyenoord from 1.8 shots and 0.9 key passes per game. A low centre of gravity (standing at 5ft 9") enables him to ride the sternest of challenges as well as making him a decent dribbler, as well as an adept passer, quick and incisive, averaging 33.1 passes per game. His tenacity (drawing comparisons with Edgar Davids) is his most impressive trait, with him averaging 2.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game. 

What is clear is that there are options to fill the void - a position of the utmost importance. This summer's challenge was already a difficult one for the Netherlands before losing Strootman, but Van Gaal, who thrives on adversity, has never been more determined.

Who do you think should replace Strootman in Netherlands' midfield? Let us know in the comments below