Who Are the Candidates? The Three Players Reshaping Oranje’s Attack

The Dutch national team’s offensive transformation isn’t built on a single player but a trio of forwards whose combined attributes now mirror the traits that made Lukaku—once the Netherlands’ most feared striker—a global phenomenon. Here’s how they stack up:

While Lukaku’s career peaked with his ability to combine mobility with a lethal shot from 18 yards, these players bring complementary skills. “We’re not looking for a carbon copy,” said Ronald Koeman, the Dutch head coach, in a recent interview with Daily Mail. “But the combination of movement, physicality, and intelligence in front of goal is something we haven’t seen in this depth since the late 2010s.”

“There are certainly similarities between the new generation and Lukaku’s prime. The movement, the physicality, the ability to hold up play—these are the traits we’re targeting.”

—Source close to KNVB, quoted by DHnet

Why This Matters: The Context Behind the Hype

The Netherlands’ offensive renaissance comes at a pivotal moment. After years of relying on midfield creativity from players like De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt’s defensive leadership, Oranje now faces a critical question: Can they translate individual talent into collective goal-scoring threat? The stakes are high ahead of:

• Euro 2024 (June 14–July 14, 2024): The Netherlands’ opening match against Austria (June 15, 2024, 21:00 CEST / 19:00 UTC) will serve as the first major test of this new frontline.
• 2026 World Cup Qualification: With Lukaku now playing for Belgium, the onus falls on these players to define Oranje’s identity.
• Club-Level Dominance: PSV Eindhoven’s Eredivisie title (2022–23) and Feyenoord’s recent resurgence suggest Dutch clubs are breeding the next generation of talent.

Koeman’s emphasis on “dangerous” attacking play isn’t hyperbole. According to tactical analysis from Analysing Football, the Netherlands’ expected goals (xG) per game have risen by 22% in friendlies this year compared to 2023, driven by these forwards’ ability to create chances from second balls and set pieces.

“The Dutch are now a team that can score in three ways: through movement, direct running, and set pieces. That’s a lethal combination.”

—Tactical analyst at The Coaches’ Vibe

The Fitness Factor: Van Dijk and De Jong’s Crucial Roles

Behind the forwards, two pillars of the Dutch defense and midfield are undergoing critical fitness assessments that could determine whether this attacking resurgence translates into tournament success.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Van Dijk, captain of both Liverpool and the Netherlands, has been managing a thigh injury that sidelined him for two months. His return for the Euro 2024 opener is not confirmed, according to Liverpool’s official medical update. Without him, Oranje would need to rely on a back four led by Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Aké—an untested combination at major tournaments.

Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

De Jong’s fitness is equally uncertain. The Barcelona midfielder has been battling a persistent hamstring issue and may miss the first two Euro 2024 games, per Marca. His absence would force Koeman to rotate between Joel Veltman (Feyenoord) and Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), both of whom lack De Jong’s ball progression and defensive awareness.

What’s at stake? If Van Dijk and De Jong are unavailable, the Netherlands’ tactical flexibility—critical for exploiting the new frontline—could be compromised. “We need both of them fit,” Koeman told NOS. “Their influence on the game is immeasurable.”

Tactical Breakdown: How Koeman Is Adapting the System

Koeman’s 4-3-3 formation has evolved to accommodate the new attacking trio. Here’s how:

• High Pressing: With De Jong and Veltman dictating tempo, the Dutch now press in blocks, forcing turnovers high up the pitch—creating chances for Simons and Brobbey on the break.
• Set-Piece Specialization: Brobbey and Boadu have been drilled on 12 different set-piece routines, per ESPN’s tactical breakdown. Their combined height (6’2″ and 6’1″) makes them a constant aerial threat.
• False 9 Rotation: Simons often drops into a deeper role, drawing defenders out of position before making late runs into the box—a tactic Lukaku mastered in his Chelsea days.

Koeman has also introduced a third striker in some friendlies, with Boadu and Brobbey operating in a 4-4-2 diamond. “We want to confuse defenses,” Koeman said. “If they mark one, the other two must exploit the space.”

“The beauty of this system is its unpredictability. We don’t want to be pigeonholed—we want to score in ways opponents aren’t expecting.”

—Ronald Koeman, Daily Mail

Comparing the Generations: Lukaku vs. the New Dutch Frontline

While the new Dutch forwards share traits with Lukaku, their collective gameplan differs in key ways:

Key Insight: The new Dutch trio is more versatile than Lukaku’s lone striker role. Their ability to rotate positions could make them even more dangerous in tight spaces—something Lukaku struggled with in later years.

However, one area where they lag is big-game experience. None of Simons, Brobbey, or Boadu have played in a World Cup or Euro final. “Pressure is the ultimate test,” noted The Guardian‘s tactical correspondent. “Lukaku thrived under it; these players haven’t faced that yet.”

What’s Next: Euro 2024 and Beyond

The Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign begins with three critical matches:

1. Austria – June 15, 2024 (21:00 CEST / 19:00 UTC) Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
2. France – June 19, 2024 (21:00 CEST / 19:00 UTC) Venue: Waldstadion, Frankfurt
3. Poland – June 23, 2024 (18:00 CEST / 16:00 UTC) Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne

If the Dutch win all three, they’ll advance to the knockout stages. But with France and Poland both strong defensive units, the new frontline will face its first major test. “This is where we’ll see if the hype is justified,” said BBC Sport‘s Michael Cox.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Netherlands will need to:

• Develop a deeper bench of forwards (e.g., Anass Achahbar (Feyenoord), Donyell Malen (Ajax)).
• Improve defensive solidity to protect the new attack.
• Ensure Van Dijk and De Jong remain fit for the World Cup.

“The window is open, but it won’t stay open forever. These players need to deliver now.”

—KNVB technical director, NOS

Key Takeaways: What This Means for Dutch Football

• Attacking Resurgence: The Netherlands now boasts a frontline capable of scoring in multiple ways—movement, set pieces, and direct running—mirroring Lukaku’s prime.
• Fitness Risks: Van Dijk and De Jong’s availability for Euro 2024 could determine whether this talent translates into tournament success.
• Tactical Evolution: Koeman’s system is built for unpredictability, but it requires defensive discipline to succeed.
• Big-Game Test: The new forwards will be judged by their performances against Austria, France, and Poland in June.
• 2026 Window: If they deliver now, these players could define Oranje’s World Cup campaign—and beyond.