Wim Kieft believes that more can be expected from the so-called ‘big boys’ at Orange. The former striker writes in his column The Telegraph that Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Daley Blind and Memphis Depay should bring more. “It is time that the big boys at Orange started to behave like big boys against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy,” said Kieft.

“Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Blind and Depay, suspended against Bosnia, are all at the forefront when their opinion is asked about racism or about the appointment of the national coach”, Kieft refers to the riot around Veronica Inside in June. “But now they are expected to perform for the Dutch national team. Especially after the underperformance against Italy and Mexico, which were both lost 1-0.”

Kieft hopes that national coach Frank de Boer will choose Denzel Dumfries against Bosnia. The columnist believes that PSV’s right back is demonstrably better than Hans Hateboer, who had a base place in the last three matches of the Dutch national team. “Denzel Dumfries belongs in our excellent defense and not Hans Hateboer. He falls short compared to the PSV player. Dumfries takes power, intransigence and duel power.”

Kieft is also curious how Orange will make up for the lack of the suspended Depay against Bosnia. “In the front, the Orange remains vulnerable and too much dependent on Depay. He is relatively indispensable as a starting point, with his actions and his goals. Luuk de Jong probably plays in Bosnia, but when it comes to football, he cannot be compared to Depay. Although he did at Sevilla last season. “He finally got into the starting line-up and was there when the team needed him, scoring important goals in important games against big clubs. That’s a quality and fun to see that development.”

De Boer could also opt for Donyell Malen instead of De Jong. “Malen from PSV is a good striker, but he is especially strong because of the depth in his game”, says Kieft. “He has to be served and if national coach Frank de Boer chooses him, he has to adjust the game of Orange somewhat. But first of all, there is something to be proved by the big internationals.”