KANSAS CITY — If England do tumble out of this World Cup earlier than any of us would like, the Netherlands could be the natural temporary switch. Ronald Koeman, once of Everton and Southampton, has picked no fewer than 20 current or former Premier League players in his squad. Nine of the XI who brushed past Tunisia in the Kansas City storms currently call England home.
But it’s one of the exceptions who catches the eye most. Denzel Dumfries has done many excellent things in Serie A and the Champions League in recent seasons, not least playing in two finals. He has also become a specialist tournament player: fabulous in Euro 2020, a goal and two assists at the last World Cup and flying again in 2026.
Dumfries might not have been in this team at all, had Jurrien Timber recovered from injury in time. As it is, Koeman has given Dumfries the entire right flank. The Dutch play a natural central defender at left-back – Micky van de Ven or Nathan Ake – and they all shuffle over to cover for Dumfries.
Dumfries is destined to never come to England, despite a desperate come-and-get-me plea (Photo: Reuters)
To say that he gets forward is underselling it. In the first 50 minutes against Tunisia, Dumfries had three shots and created a goal. He had no defensive contributions, but so what? The two Dutch central defenders had the most touches, but next came Dumfries. He is the outlet and the fire starter.
