Holland's EPL Hits and Misses

Sport360 staff 16:29 13/07/2016
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  • Dutch imports: Mixed results

    Netherlands have produced plenty of talented forwards over the years but while some have made their mark on the Premier League, others failed to make the grade.

    Here we look at three players whose footsteps Vincent Janssen will be looking to follow, and three whose example he will be hoping to avoid.

    THE GOOD

    RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

    Injury delayed his club record Dhs92 million (£19m) deal from PSV but Manchester United were rewarded with 150 goals in 219 games. He even overtook club legend Denis Law’s European goalscoring record. In 2002-03 he netted 44 goals times as United won the Premier League title before moving to Real Madrid in 2006.

    ROBIN VAN PERSIE

    Arsenal paid Feyenoord just Dhs13 million (£2.75m) for the 20-year-old and he scored 132 goals in 277 games before a move to Manchester United, whom he fired to the Premier League title in his first season. He played at Old Trafford for three years and then moved on to Turkish side Fenerbahce.

    DIRK KUYT

    Top-scorer in Holland when Liverpool signed him from Feyenoord, the Reds turned him into a winger. During six years at Anfield, he scored 71 goals in 285 appearances in the Premier League and ended up returning to first club Feyenoord, via a spell with Fenerbahce.

    THE BAD

    SIEM DE JONG

    Injury and illness saw the Dhs29 million (£6m) arrival from Ajax make just 26 appearances for Newcastle in two seasons. He had been prolific in the Eredivisie, scoring 57 times for Ajax, but only managed one goal for the Magpies before their relegation last season.

    MEMPHIS DEPAY

    Still has time but United’s AED 121.5 million (£25m) investment in the temperamental forward from PSV looks a mistake. Completing a year in the Premier League, he only scored two goals in 13 appearances. Based on his age, there is potential for him to turn this round.

    MACEO RIGTERS

    Top scorer at the Euro U-21 Championship in 2007 but a move from NAC Breda to Blackburn saw him play just two league games. Loan moves to Norwich and Barnsley failed to bring any goals, though he fared a little better back inn his homeland with Willem II before heading Down Under to play for Australian side Gold Coast United.

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