It can be concluded that the position of first keeper in the Dutch national team is open. Marco Bizot will make his debut against Spain on Wednesday and Tim Krul will defend the goal of the Orange against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland. Justin Bijlow was brought into the final selection for the first time after Jasper Cillessen’s injury, but the Feyenoord keeper also dropped out injured and was replaced by another debutant, Joël Drommel of FC Twente. It does not end in terms of goalkeeper at the highest level..

“We no longer have an undisputed number one, as in the time of Edwin van der Sar”, says Frans Hoek, former goalkeeper coach of the Dutch national team, in conversation with the NOS “Nobody really stands out. Actually, the position of goalkeeper in Orange is simply open. Cillessen plays in a top competition, but sits on the bench. Krul did a fantastic job last year, but no longer plays at the highest level in England. And Marco Bizot is at the Dutch top with AZ. It is not an international top. “

Hoek argues in favor of thoroughly scrutinizing the level of the Dutch keepers. “What can we do to stop this from happening again? We have to ask ourselves how it works at clubs and the KNVB. Why do so few keepers from their own training break through? There is stagnation there. How are goalkeeper talents scouted and identified? There has to be talent, but it has to be recognized. ”

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Former goalkeeper Sander Westerveld is of the opinion that too much is being trained on playing football in the Netherlands. “Take Thibaut Courtois, who everyone thinks is so good. He would be discarded in the Netherlands, because he cannot play football. Another example: Tim Krul makes a very good save against Mexico in a one-on-one. I don’t hear anyone about that. It’s about how he defends, that a ball goes over the sidelines. ” The Netherlands has young keepers at its disposal. According to Hoek, the problem was not resolved immediately with Bijlow, partly due to his susceptibility to injury. “At Cillessen you know he will do it properly. We don’t know that yet at Bijlow. How does he deal with playing with world players around him? That’s another question mark. “

“Bijlow is a real goalkeeper”, says Kevin Moeliker, former goalkeeper coach of the Orange Under-19. “Very good at one-on-one. He dives for everything, is not afraid of anything. He is also good with the feet. The talent shines. Moreover, a nice guy to work with. I think he is the furthest from the young keepers. ” For Westerveld, Cillessen currently remains the best goalkeeper for Orange. “But Bijlow is the future. He is complete, in control of everything, has a good mentality, is aggressive and technically good. Drommel is slightly different in style. Slightly more attacking and a little more playing football. Sometimes with some technical errors. Those two are the keepers of the future. ”