Natural Talents and Real Questions
There’s a feeling all the natural talents are there to provide the answers, but the mentality and attitude means there’s real questions still. The Dutch national team has always been a topic of intense debate, with every selection scrutinised by fans and pundits alike. The recent inclusion of Ryan Gravenberch in the Euro 2024 squad has raised eyebrows, sparking conversations across the football community. It doesn’t really answer anything for Liverpool either truth be told.
Remarkable Inclusion
According to Dutch sports journalist Mike Verweij, “It is very remarkable that Gravenberch is in there. The midfielder played 39 games for Liverpool, mostly as a substitute. Taylor played very poorly in the Dutch team at one point but has recovered very well in the second half of the season.” This statement underscores the unexpected nature of Gravenberch’s inclusion, especially given his limited impact at Liverpool.
Selection Process Debates
Valentijn Driessen also expressed his views on the selection process. He mentioned, “Gravenberch thanked the moment he made a transfer to Liverpool. Then there was tough talk by Nigel de Jong, who was at the bottom of the pile. Now, apparently, Taylor and Dirk Proper are even further down the pile. Not that they say that they belong in the Dutch team, but if you just take a very tough measure, then it apparently also changes very quickly,” reflecting the ongoing debates within the Dutch football circles. Similar questions from reds exist too if we’re honest.
Van der Vaart’s Advice
Former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart has also weighed in on Gravenberch’s career trajectory. He believes Gravenberch should consider a positional shift to enhance his playing prospects. Van der Vaart stated, “I advise Ryan to opt for a role as a defensive midfielder. That will not be an easy choice for him, because he can do much more. You can compare it with Nigel de Jong in the past. Nigel could do much more than the subservient controller he eventually became. But in that specific role, he reached an absolute top level. Nigel decided he was going to be a pit bull, and that’s it. Ryan is also very versatile and I recommend him to make a similar choice. In a role like Patrick Vieira once played at Arsenal and France.”
Potential Redefinition
This advice points towards a potential redefinition of Gravenberch’s role, possibly positioning him as a key defensive asset in future line-ups. It isn’t that straightforward for the player to secure his Anfield future either.
Complications at Liverpool
Gravenberch’s situation at Liverpool further complicates his standing. Under the guidance of new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool is evaluating its midfield options, with a clear need for a defensive midfielder. The team has recognised the experience of Wataru Endo as the only senior number six, while other players like Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez have filled in intermittently. This leaves Gravenberch in a precarious position, as he finds himself competing against more established midfielders such as Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai, and even Curtis Jones as an eight. Put any number you want on it and he’s down the pecking order.
Uncertain Future
Given his reported £150,000 per week wage and recent links to Turkish clubs, Gravenberch’s future at Liverpool appears uncertain. Slot’s 4-2-3-1 formation does not naturally accommodate him, and despite his talent, he struggles to find his niche. This precarious standing at Liverpool adds to the curiosity surrounding his selection for the Dutch squad. There’s a feeling that we could be talking about one of those players that just doesn’t ever fulfil the great potential.
European Championships Approach
As the European Championships approach, Gravenberch’s role in the Dutch team will be closely observed. His versatility, combined with his raw talent, provides him with opportunities to prove his critics wrong. However, the pressure is on to perform and justify his selection amidst stiff competition. The discourse surrounding Gravenberch at Anfield highlights the complexities of modern football management and the constant balancing act coaches must perform in selecting their squads. Whether Gravenberch will rise to the occasion or fade into obscurity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the eyes of all reds will be on him in the upcoming tournament.
