Netherlands vs England Combined XI: Arsenal pair Rice and Saka star
Ahead of the second semi-final at Euro 2024, between the Netherlands and England, we’ve put together a Combined XI based on WhoScored player ratings at the tournament.
It’s Ronald Koeman’s side who have the edge in our team, with seven representatives to England’s four. Here, we run through the XI in full.
Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands) - 6.95
21-year-old Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen beats out Jordan Pickford for a place between the sticks, having earned a WhoScored rating of 6.95 for his efforts throughout the tournament so far. Verbruggen has played every minute for the Dutch, making a total of 15 saves and recording two clean sheets.
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) - 6.81
Staying with the Dutch, Denzel Dumfries is in at right-back, having earned a higher rating than England’s Kyle Walker. The 28-year-old has started all but one of his nation’s games at Euro 2024, making six tackles and five key passes along the way.
Stefan de Vrij (Netherlands) - 6.88
Dumfries is joined by club and national teammate Stefan de Vrij, who lands a place at centre-back having instigate the Netherlands’ comeback victory over Turkiye in the quarter-finals. The 32-year-old equalised for the Oranje with a fine header after 70 minutes of Saturday’s contest, before a Mert Muldur own goal six minutes later eventually proved the winner.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) - 6.97
De Vrij is partnered at centre-back by Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who has been as impressive as ever at the back for Ronald Koeman’s side. The 33-year-old has played every minute so far, while no player has won more aerial duels (18) than him.
Kieran Trippier (England) - 6.78
The first England representative in our XI is Kieran Trippier, who has been deployed on the left-side of a back four for much of the tournament given Luke Shaw’s absence. Trippier’s performances have been critiqued by many, but the Newcastle man has in fact created more chances from open play (7) than any other England player thus far.
Jude Bellingham (England) - 7.36
As England’s best rated performer so far, Jude Bellingham makes our Combined XI. The 21-year-old was the match-winner in the Three Lions’ opening group game against Serbia, while he stepped up with a sensational overhead kick to keep his side alive in last week’s eventual victory over Slovakia.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice joins Bellingham in our midfield three, with his WhoScored rating of 7.23 bettered only by the Real Madrid star among all England players at the tournament. Rice has played every minute for Gareth Southgate’s side so far, and provided the assist for club-mate Bukayo Saka’s fine equaliser against Switzerland on Saturday.
Xavi Simons (Netherlands) - 6.90
21-year-old attacking midfielder Xavi Simons completes our trio in the middle of the park, following a series of exciting performances at this European Championship so far. The PSG man, who completed a marvellous spell on loan with RB Leipzig last season, leads the way for assists (3) at the tournament.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka was the star for England as they progressed past Switzerland on Saturday evening. The 22-year-old stepped up to equalise for the Three Lions with a fine effort after 80 minutes, while he had caused Michel Aebischer all sorts of problems on the right flank throughout the game.
Memphis Depay (Netherlands) - 7.06
Perhaps surprisingly, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay earns a place in our XI over England captain Harry Kane, with the 30-year-old directly involved in two goals for the Dutch so far (one goal, one assist). With a bit more luck, Depay might have more goals to his name at this stage, the now free agent has fired off a whopping 17 shots on goal, and also made 10 key passes.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) - 7.84
Rounding off our XI is Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo, who will remain a serious contender for Player of the Tournament regardless of what happens on Wednesday evening, given his status as the tournament’s joint top scorer and third highest rated player (7.84).
