German Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen over the past decade has become one of the most exciting and prestigious hubs for birthing and moulding some of Europe’s most hugely coveted young footballing stars.

Whether it’s youth players coming through in the academy or players joining the club to enhance their development, experience and maturity at the highest level, the club still remains the envy of many across the continent and arguably the most attractive development clubs in Germany.

The trend of honing and developing young talents before selling them for significant fees or profit is similar to that of Ajax, Benfica and even fellow German outfit Borussia Dortmund, creating a sustainable model with which Leverkusen can continue to compete at the highest level as well as continuing to build year on year.

Son Heung-Min, Dimitar Berbatov, Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey are just a number of names who have honed their craft at the BayArena before seeking greener pastures elsewhere. The list of sales won’t stop there though, with Leverkusen still producing or picking up terrific young talent and providing them with the perfect resources and room to thrive.

Florian Wirtz, Edmond Tapsoba, Moussa Diaby, Piero Hincapie, Patrik Schick and Adam Hlozek are sure to be the next big sales in the next couple seasons, but one player rumoured to certainly be on the move to a big European club in 2023 is former Manchester City academy star and Celtic full-back Jeremie Frimpong.

According to reports, Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has shortlisted the Dutch right-back as a top target for the January window, as the Red Devils continue back their new coach with resources to build a hugely competitive and successful side.

With United in desperate need of a right-back capable of competing with Diogo Dalot for a starting spot in Ten Hag’s XI, Frimpong is reportedly seen as the perfect solution at Old Trafford.

Ever since his move in January 2021, the 22-year-old has elevated himself to become one of Europe’s best full-backs, and his performances during the 2022/23 campaign have only heightened that fact.

So far this season, he’s registered nine goal involvements (5 goals, 4 assists) from 20 games in all competitions before the World Cup break, being called up by Louis Van Gaal for the Netherlands squad as a result, in Qatar, but didn’t make an appearance during the tournament.

It’s only a matter of time before he picks up a first Netherlands cap in the near future, after featuring for the youth teams. But, Frimpong has undergone a tremendous career journey so far, but how has the 22-year-old gotten to this point, how good is he and what will he offer Manchester United if he was to move on in the coming months?

Who is Jeremie Frimpong?

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to a Dutch father and Ghanaian mother, Frimpong actually started out his junior career at the Manchester City academy from the age of nine after his family moved to England when he was seven years old. However, failing to see a way through into the first team picture at the Etihad, saw him depart Manchester to join Scottish giants Celtic in September 2019.

It was a move which probably proved a masterstroke from Frimpong, enjoying a scintilating two years at Parkhead under the stewardship of legendary former Celtic player Neil Lennon.

He made his professional debut at the club a little after his move, against Patrick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals an immediate impact, winning the man of the match award on his debut, and going to become a regular in the first team.

Frimpong’s speed, skill and maturity in the Scottish top flight made him a household name at Parkhead, and he bagged his first goal for the club in October 2019 against Aberdeen – his first professional goal in fact. His time of firsts didn’t stop there, winning his first major professional honour, with Celtic triumphing over Rangers in Scottish League Cup final, but was sent off for a foul on Alfredo Morelos in the penalty area.

At the end of the 2019/20 campaign, he was deservedly rewarded and voted Celtic’s Young Player of the Year by the Bhoys supporters. His second campaign proved an unsuccessful one, not for him personally but for the whole club as Rangers ended their Celtic’s seven year league title stretch, winning their first Premiership title.

After making 51 appearances in a Celtic shirt, he left the Scottish giants in January 2021 and joined Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of €11million. It’s so far proven yet another sensational career decision by the Dutch full-back, becoming one of the best of his position in the German Bundesliga and one of the most exciting full backs in Europe. The 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns have so far bore seven goals and 11 assists in all competitions domestically and in Europe.

The reported interest from Manchester United is really no surprise and judging by the 22-year-old’s performances on the biggest club stage, he’d be ready for the challenge to play Premier League football at the highest level for one of the biggest and most historic clubs around.

Internationally, Frimpong has represented Netherlands at all youth groups and despite being called up to Louis Van Gaal’s senior squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he is still yet to make a senior appearance for the Dutch.

Frimpong’s style of play

The role of a modern day full-back has evolved considerably over the past five years or so. Not only are they tasked with the responsibilities to defend well and guard against opposing wingers, they are now crucial and instrumental in many team’s attacking play, providing width, final third penetration and are used as decoys in order for wingers and wide forwards to perform their best work in attacking scenarios.

Throughout his relatively short career at the top level, Frimpong has excelled with these responsibilities, and his goal contributions for Leverkusen since his move in early 2021 showcase as much. His role during this campaign, under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso has evolved, lining up on the right flank of a 3-4-3 shape.

During Leverkusen’s build-up, Frimpong pushes up high and wide to act as an near-auxiliary winger, receiving the ball and running at the opposing full-back to create opportunities. Because of his pace, various skill-set, and ability to win his 1v1 duels against opposing full-backs, he’s become Alonso’s crucial outlet in Leverkusen penetrating the penalty area, and forming chances.

Frimpong is also adept at linking up with the inverted winger in the setup (Moussa Diaby), and that particular avenue is used as another tool for Leverkusen in attacking scenarios.

As shown in the above heatmap, Frimpong spends more time in the opposing half than his own, making things clear that he is a crucial and influential outlet in Leverkusen’s chance creation. It’s very rare you see defenders in the opposing half, but the way football has evolved in modern age, full-backs are a prominent feature in most team’s attacking play, and Frimpong’s attacking qualities are such that it is better to utilise him within the final third.

The former Celtic full-back has become one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, and the most obvious reason as to why Frimpong has elevated himself to such continental stardom is his explosive dribbling. Possessing wonderful close control, low centre of gravity when evading tight spots, his quickness of feat and searing acceleration to go with his electric pace, the 22-year-old simply becomes one of the most attractive full-back options around.

He is technically excellent, robust and holds bundles of energy, meaning he is able to maintain high levels of performance from the 1st minute right down to the last. But it’s his low centre of gravity which stands him out, and makes him impossible to stop, allowing him to quickly change direction and speed while dribbling meaning his teammates are always confident he’d find a way to surpass his marker.

From 15 Bundesliga games so far, Frimpong has carried the ball into the opposition penalty area 50 times, an extremely high number for a player who starts from the defensive line. In fact, he ranks in the 98th percentile of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (3.52) and ranks sixth out of all players in the Bundesliga for expected threat from ball carries (0.83). So from those numbers, it’s expected that the Dutch defender will rank in the top bracket for both dribbles attempted per 90 (4.54) and dribbles completed per 90 (2.15), in which he ranks in the 99th percentile for both metrics. Frimpong is simply an astonishing and effective dribbler.

The 22-year-old’s explosive and electric qualities are most effective when taking on defenders in isolated 1v1s in wide areas. He holds the running power to consistently get to the byline, evading his direct markers before putting crosses in, a trait you’d expect from a player of his qualities. Though, the Dutch youngster’s game goes beyond that. He is superb at swiftly changing direction with deceptive movement, excellent body feints and tremendous ball control. Through those characteristics, he’s able to evade any sort of obstacle, even with two or three markers to contend with. In some instances, he will stop the ball dead under his feet for a moment before swiftly knocking it on past the defender with tremendous burst of pace and speed.

However, he doesn’t possess the same plethora of skill than that of his teammate Moussa Diaby, one which can constantly bamboozle and unbalance defenders. Though, he doesn’t need them as he’s incredibly adept and consistent at what he does and what he’s required to do for his team. In his wing-back role, he’s required to hold the width of the pitch on the right flank, and exploit the space that arrives from it.

Frimpong attempts 5.50 dribbles per game on average, and successfully completes 56% of them which makes for spectacular reading for the full-back. As shown in the image above, these qualities are extremely useful as he’s perfectly capable of beating his man and exploiting the space behind them. His education at Manchester City has enhanced his technical acumen and he’s expressed that consistently for Leverkusen this season, not only is it seen in the attacking third but also in his own half too.

Leverkusen are a dangerous team to press, especially where Frimpong is concerned. When he is cornered by an opposition’s high-press, it doesn’t faze. As stated numerously throughout this report, he possesses sublime close control, skill but also such unique flexibility needed to evade oncoming pressure, whether with his back to the opponent’s goal or as he’s approaching the opponent’s half.

The Manchester United target is confident enough to face up to his opponent, and knock the ball past them when they engage him. That confidence to take on pressure in his own half is certainly an attractive proposition for United coach Ten Hag who requires his defensive outlets to be comfortable on the ball even in the midst of relenting opposing pressure.

Frimpong is not only an attractive profile for Manchester United but for almost every other elite club on the continent. One final dribbling quality that stands him out is his body orientation and variation as already touched upon briefly. His ability to twist and turn out of tight areas makes him a unique threat in the attacking third but also a tremendous outlet in his own half when to progress the ball.

He can shield the ball and turn using the outside of his right boot to attack space on his left side. This isn’t the most efficient way of beating players, and the fact he favours his right foot so much can sometimes make him too predictable, but the fact that he has a method of beating players on both his left and right, gives him an almost complete skillset as a dribbler in the final third.

Any defender who is comfortable playing in the opposition box, scoring goals and providing them instantly make his team a dangerous proposition in attacking scenarios, and Frimpong has excelled as the perfect example so far this campaign. In his 15 Bundesliga games, he’s registered seven goal contributions (five goals, two assists). The five goals make it his best scoring season than any other combined. But, his threat in the penalty area derives from various factors.

His role as a wing-back allows him to be more present in the opposition box, so therefore he will be more likely to find himself in dangerous positions from which he can score.

In addition, Frimpong has also acquired the skill of timing his runs at the back post, which has allowed him to score a number of easy chances. Being able to arrive at the back post, at the perfect time isn’t an easy skill, even for most accomplished strikers, and Frimpong has mastered that art, as a right wing-back. Frightening.

Making the run too easy means the opposing defender can easily spot you and mark you soon afterwards, or arriving too late means that the chance is easily gone. Arriving at the perfect time, on the defender’s blind side means a player has the advantage not only on the nearest defender but on the goalkeeper too, who also isn’t expecting a back post effort. Frimpong has become a tap-in merchant of the highest order, timing his runs to perfection and getting into difficult areas at a consistent rate.

Another decisive yet unique trait in the opposing box that Frimpong possesses is his composure in goal-scoring scenarios. His goal against Schalke earlier this campaign is the perfect example. It’s a scenario where many forwards have lacked the necessary composure and execution to trouble the goalkeeper. That isn’t Frimpong’s problem, though.

More accomplished forwards fizz the above scenario wide, or even straight at the goalkeeper. The former Manchester City academy star differs in this instance, in that he has the composure to look up, pick his spot and find the far post to devastating effect.

He’s able to score with either foot, also. His second goal during that game was that of a talented striker, latching onto a pass in the centre of the area, before slotting the ball seamlessly past Alexander Schwolow. Frimpong is exceeding his xG (expected goals) tally of 3.99 with 5 goals, showing his unique efficiency in front of goal.

If you’re watching Frimpong for the first time, you’ll never know he’s a wing-back or a defensive player. He possesses a composure and assertiveness that belies his age and experience, and that’s even more apparent the way he operates in the final third.

One of his two goals against Mainz 05 back in August is one of peerless quality, seen in the image below. 1v1 with Schwolow at an angle arriving from the right flank with two defenders behind him. Rather than panicking under such pressure and in his decision-making, he instead carries on his run, zooming past the defenders and even rounding the keeper to score into an empty net.

Frimpong has showcased a range of unique finishing techniques and variations in the final third, making him an extremely dangerous wing-back for the opposition.

Whilst the 22-year-old is an adept creator, ranking in the the 79th and 86th percentiles for shot-creating actions and goal-creating actions per 90 respectively and also in the 76th percentile for key passes per 90, for the number of times he approaches the opposing penalty area, he’s only completed 0.38 crosses into the opposition penalty area per 90 so far this campaign.

At this moment, Frimpong’s dribbling has caused chaos and uncertainty for defences and has allowed Leverkusen to progress up the pitch, however, the lack of threat from his passing – only completing 0.99 passes into the penalty area per 90 – and crossing will severely limit him and allow defenders to stand assured, knowing there is no danger of Frimpong executing a dangerous action once evading his markers. He’s specifically struggled to pick out his teammates from crosses so far this campaign, failing to execute the correct accuracy and trajectory on his attempts.

From cut-backs, he could work on this further too, getting to the byline and arrowing a direct pass for players arriving in the penalty area, a crucial tool for even the best of teams in Europe. The 22-year-old is yet to create a telling chance from his successful approaches to the area and past opponents.

The two assists came before the World Cup break, one through exceptional hard work in pressing the keeper against Union Berlin into a mistake with which Moussa Diaby took advantage, and the second against FC Köln, expertly evading the defender with an unerring piece of skill before squaring for the French winger to tap in. Frimpong’s crossing still leaves a lot to be desired, but he still holds a tremendous amount of time to perfect them, at least until the end of the campaign.

In all honesty, the criticism of this particular facet of his game may seem unfair, but due to his position and the rapid rate at which he enters the final third, his final pass needs to be better to be considered amongst the upper echelons of top quality full-backs in the game. It’s probably Louis Van Gaal chose not to give him any kind of opportunity at the World Cup, with Dumfries a consistent and decisive threat from his crosses. It’s those fine margins that seperate Frimpong from the most elite. That will of course arrive though, with more work and development on his game.

This scout report won’t be complete without discussing his qualities in defence. Despite his high and wide positioning for Leverkusen, he is first and foremost, a defender. And the basic stats show that the right-back does perform his defensive duties very well. So far this campaign, he averages 0.6 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, wins 56% of his total duels and 58% of his ground duels. He’s a tough customer, performing with aggression, tenacity and as stated before, high levels of performance right from the off.

In the opposition half, Frimpong can press high and intercept passes during the build-up while also tackling defenders in 1v1 situations, or when he counter-presses. However, one of the main reasons why he may be seen as a wing-back for Leverkusen rather than a pure right-back in a 4-man defence may not only stem from the team’s weakness from that system, but his smaller physical frame that could be exposed in aerial duels.

The 22-year-old is only 171cm tall, which is something that can be taken advantage of by opposing teams. He’s only won 38% of his aerial duels, which may not be no fault of his own, but it’s evidently a weakness for Leverkusen that can be exploited. And it may be the reason why there could be a cause for clubs such as Manchester United when pursuing a player like Frimpong.

His size and frame may not cut it, defensively, in the Premier League where teams place such huge emphasis on exposing even the smallest of opponent’s weaknesses. Crosses into the area, especially at the far post can leave players like Frimpong wanting. However, what he lacks aerially, he certainly makes up for in his 1v1 duels. He’s adept in those scenarios. His low centre of gravity and explosiveness gives him an advantage when facing up to wingers. He doesn’t have to dive into tackles as he can wait for attackers to try to beat him for pace, which Frimpong knows is a race he will win every time. 

Forecast for the future

There’s no doubt Frimpong is an exceptional talent, and the amount of clamour and rumours surrounding his next club in the near future prove why he is a player on the upward trajectory.

Five goals and two assists from 15 Bundesliga games this season, for a right wing-back approaching the mid-way point of the campaign makes for phenomenal reading. His explosive dribbling and great movement in the box would make him a big goal threat for any side that use wing-backs, especially on the international stage when he eventually makes his maiden bow, most likely in 2023.

While his defensive qualities in a four-man defence may require serious work, it’s something he can only get better at, but who knows, it may derail a potential move to a club like Manchester United who desperately require a full-back accomplished in both boxes, in a four-man as well as possessing an assuredness and presence aerially when defending his own box. These are only small margins, but huge ones in the context of Frimpong’s immediate future.

Regardless, the 22-year-old is an attractive profile for any top club, especially if they provide him with the tactical foundations to thrive, but more importantly, the freedom and room to mature and develop into the world class performer he’s primed to become. He will of course, be another big-money sale made by Leverkusen in the near future.

Arguably the most intriguing game of the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-finals takes place at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday evening, as two giants of the international game go to war with the Netherlands up against Argentina.

Louis Van Gaal’s Oranje’s triumphed over USA 3-1 in the round of 16 to book their quarter-final spot while the South American champions got the better of Australia 2-1 to keep their hopes and expectations of a third World Cup gong alive.

Breakthrough star Cody Gakpo’s hot streak in front of goal may have come to an end against the US last time out, but it was Van Gaal’s lively wing-backs who took on some of the goalscoring burden to both outwit and put the United States to the sword in Saturday’s last-16 battle.

Denzel Dumfries provided two very similar assists for Memphis Depay and Daley Blind in the first half, and while Haji Wright’s impressive unorthodox flick gave the USA a glimmer of hope, Blind, with his father Danny watching on alongside Van Gaal in the dugout, turned provider for Dumfries to volley home unchallenged to settle the match.

It was the US that started the game the brighter and more penetrative side, with the Netherlands doing little to quell the talk that Van Gaal’s Netherlands had become “boring” to watch, but as the game wore on with Gregg Berhalter’s side struggling to break down the Oranje resistance, they were immediately punished with sheer ruthlessness on the counter, with Memphis Depay’s opener the pick of the goals, finishing off a wonderful flowing move.

Indeed, the Netherlands have now reached the last eight in four of their last five World Cup tournaments – the outlier being a last-16 elimination in 2006 – and they progressed to the semi-finals in both 2010 and 2014 before disappointingly failing to qualify for the Russia edition in 2018.

Not since 1994 have the 2010 runners-up failed to win a quarter-final match at the World Cup, and the Netherlands’ unbeaten streak in all competitions now stands at an incredible 19 matches, but that record will be under serious threat when they come up against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.

The footballing gods have long been waiting for Lionel Messi to adhere to their script in ending his knockout hoodoo, and that he did with such unerring grace, notching a trademark finish low into the bottom corner on his 1000th career match.

The Paris Saint-Germain veteran found the back of the net with a low finish before Julian Alvarez robbed Mathew Ryan of the ball for Argentina’s second – much to the amusement of the goalkeeper’s Copenhagen rival Kamil Grabara – before Craig Goodwin’s deflected strike gave Australia dreams of an unlikely comeback.

The Socceroos very nearly completed the unthinkable through Newcastle United-bound teenager Garang Kuol in the final few seconds, but for Emiliano Martinez’ stunning last-ditch save to send Argentina through to the last eight.

Argentina most recently progressed from the quarter-finals in 2014 en-route to finishing second best to a Mario Gotze winning Germany side, but they had lost their last three ties in the last eight before that in 1998, 2006 and 2010, and their hopes of world domination have ended at the hands of European teams nine times in a row since the inaugural 1930 edition.

History arguably does not favour Lionel Scaloni’s men, but a 13-game scoring streak in all competitions does, and La Albiceleste will desperately need Messi at his scintilating best as they attempt to end a barren streak in previous meetings with the Dutch.

Indeed, Argentina have failed to score in each of their last three matches versus the Netherlands, who have held La Albiceleste to two 0-0 draws in their most recent two World Cup meetings – winning the 2014 semi-final on spot kicks. The world will be hoping this contest isn’t another 0-0 encounter, especially with the dearth of quality in both squads currently.

WORLD CUP FORM:

Netherlands: WDWW

Argentina: LWWW

WHEN & WHERE?

Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar.
Date: Friday 9th December 2022.
Time: 19:00 PM.

TEAM NEWS

The Netherlands underwent a brief injury scare with Jeremie Frimpong (ankle) before the win over the USA, but the Bayer Leverkusen right-back formed part of a fully-fit squad, and Van Gaal should thankfully have everyone available for the quarter-final too.

In defence, Stefan de Vrij could not train over the weekend due to discomfort, but it’s very unlikely he’ll be breaking into an already settled back three of Jurrien Timber, Virgil Van Dijk & Nathan Ake. Frenkie De Jong and Martin de Roon could be Van Gaal’s favoured deep-lying midfield pairing once again, with Davy Klaasen likely to continue at the tip of the midfield and it will indeed be a fearing task for all three players aiming to keep Lionel Messi quiet on Friday evening.

Depay’s opener against the USA made it 24 goals in his last 30 outings for the Netherlands – as well as 10 assists – and the Barcelona attacker should once again partner up with Gakpo in an untouched Dutch XI.

As for Argentina,  Sevilla attacker Papu Gomez came off with a sprained ankle in the 50th minute against Australia and is a doubt for the contest, but Angel Di Maria who recently stated that Louis Van Gaal is the “worst manager” he’s played under, is stepping up his recovery from a quadriceps problem and should be fit to take on his former coach who they worked together at Manchester United back in 2014/15.

Lionel Scaloni otherwise has no injury worries, especially in defence and is looking to stick with Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi as his centre-back pairings, although Lisandro Martinez is certainly pushing to be involved after his stunning individual cameo against Australia in the dying moments. It won’t be a surprise to see Scaloni go to a back-five to counter the threat of Netherlands’ terrifying wing-back pairing of Dumfries and Blind.

Scaloni certainly has bags of quality at his disposal, especially in midfield but Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez should continue because of their terrific form so far, with special praise given to the latter seeing as he’s just recently broken into such a prodigious setup.

ANALYSIS

Just how Louis Van Gaal aims to stifle and stop the influence and greatness of Lionel Messi will certainly the most intriguing facet of this fascinating match-up. Many managers have indeed tried and failed to keep the PSG veteran quiet, and Van Gaal has promised fans recently that he does indeed have a plan to stop him on Friday. Whether it’s successful is another matter entirely.

What are the ways in which to stifle Messi’s influence? Will it be to man-mark him? Could Van Gaal get Davy Klaasen or De Roon to squeeze him out, or stop him in getting the ball into the final third areas. During this tournament, Messi’s passes received have been distributed around the middle and right of the attacking half. He isn’t a right-winger in Scaloni’s setup, nor is he a false-nine.

Messi has pretty much lined up on the right of an attacking pair with either Julian Alvarez or Lisandro Martinez, given the licence to roam in between the lines, especially in the right half space, which means Netherlands will need to crowd the middle and not allow him the space in front of the back-line. If Messi receives passes wide on the right flank or back in the middle third, Van Gaal’s men will be doing their job right.

Another facet is stopping or tracking Marcos Acuna’s overlapping runs. Part of Messi’s trademark actions in the final third is him, picking up the ball in those right-half spaces and unleashing a delicious long-raking diagonal pass into the LB – Marcos Acuna’s – path as seen below , just like he did for Jordi Alba throughout their time together at Barcelona.

Both Denzel Dumfries and Jurrien Timber who plays at RCB will certainly need to be alert in tracking Acuna’s runs but also stopping him getting space to receive passes from switches and also space to get into the penalty area.

If the Netherlands can restrict the space Messi operates in, and track the runners in behind then they would have a huge chance of stifling Argentina. However, cutting out the nimble maestro will still leave the threats of both Di Maria and Rodrigo de Paul to contend with.

But, Van Gaal will have a few attacking weapons of his own which Lionel Scaloni will need to be mindful of, especially in transition. And that is the frightening and electric pace of Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay up front. Argentina cannot afford to be slow and indecisive in the passing or those two along with Dumfries and Blind will punish them, just as the USA found out. Both Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez along with Alexis Mac Allister will have huge jobs being swift and decisive in possession, but also being ruthless in their counter-pressing to stop the Netherlands getting the ball out to Gakpo and Depay in dangerous transitional areas of the pitch.

And what about the threat of Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind? Both players were superb in the round of 16 clash against USA, not just because of their high and wide positions in the attacking half, but because the US failed to find solutions to match them up. A facet Scaloni will have to consider heading into Friday’s encounter. And that may mean moving to a wing-back system, but also playing a three-man defence to outnumber and stifle the immediate threat of Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo.

A three-man backline of Lisandro Martinez along with Otamendi and Romero may well be the more plausible and sensible route to deal with Netherlands’ deadly attacking duo. But, whichever route both managers may take heading into this stunning encounter, it will almost certainly be the most tactically intriguing tie of the round.

KEY PLAYERS

MEMPHIS DEPAY

24 goals and 10 assists in his last 30 outings for the Netherlands is just simply outrageous reading and yet again highlights how pivotal Memphis Depay is to Van Gaal’s team. No longer is the former PSV Eindhoven academy starlet a out-an-out winger, but he’s completely morphed into the complete forward, and his goal against the US last time out showed.

Dropping off to link-up the play in Netherlands own half, before latching onto the end of Dumfries sizzling cut-back to unleash an unerring finish beneath the despairing Matt Turner. It was a team goal, no doubt. But Van Gaal wouldn’t have entrusted anyone else but Depay to finish off such a delicious passing move with such aplomb and world class quality.

That’s what Depay possesses in his weaponry. He’s strong and powerful, can hold the ball up well, bring others into play, is pacey and skillful, technically sound and creative in the final third and is a superb finisher when it comes down to it. A facet of his game that is somewhat underrated and underappreciated – Memphis Depay can finish. The aforementioned recent record for the Dutch fully explains such.

What a player. If the Netherlands are to somehow triumph over Lionel Messi and co on Friday evening, expect Depay to be at the centre of Van Gaal’s attacking plan.

ENZO FERNANDEZ

Of course, Lionel Messi remains Argentina’s undisputed and undeniable key man and instigator. But this tournament has seen the emergence of the country’s breakout star, and the midfield component that keeps everything ticking over for La Albiceleste – and that man is Enzo Fernandez.

It’s important to remember that the 21 y/o wasn’t even a starter heading into the tournament. In fact, Argentina looked vulnerable, disheveled and directionless without him in the defeat to Saudi Arabia. But since his goal scoring substitute cameo against Mexico, Scaloni’s men have found a new lease of life tactically and in possession.

But more crucially, they are much more robust and safe with the Benfica maestro at the base of their midfield, keeping things ticking over with some silky passing, but also possessing the energy to counter-press, break up attacking moves sitting in front of and protecting the Argentina defence. He’s registered a goal and an assist so far in the tournament, averaged 73 touches per game, 0.8 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and is only dribbled past on average 0.5 times per game. In Fernandez, La Albiceleste have found the midfield foundation they will now rely on for the next decade and beyond.

Against Netherlands, Fernandez will need to continue his tremendous form in midfield, because the country’s hope and expectation of lifting a prestigious third World Cup triumph partly rests on his broad shoulders. And it’s a huge challenge he’ll certainly take on and thrive in. He’s that good.

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Netherlands predicted XI vs Argentina: Noppert (GK); Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Jong, De Roon, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay

Argentina predicted XI vs Netherlands: Martinez (GK); Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

SCORE PREDICTION:

Netherlands 1-2 Argentina – (AET)