Cody Gakpo is looking to become the Netherlands’s first-choice center-forward at this week’s UEFA Nations League finals. Originally a left-winger, the 24-year-old player has been adapting to this role since joining Liverpool in January from PSV Eindhoven.

“Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position,” Gakpo told reporters on Sunday as the Netherlands prepares for the tournament. With Memphis Depay unavailable through injury, Gakpo is now in a prime position to lead the Dutch attack.

Gakpo went on to admit that several coaches had previously tried to convince him to switch from the wing to striker; a change that he resisted. During his interview, Gakpo said he has grown fond of his new position.

According to the player, Guus Hiddink was the first coach to recommend the change, telling Gakpo to become either a striker or a false number 9. During his time at PSV, Gakpo was given the same advice by Roger Schmidt.

While Gakpo completed his shift to the center during his time at Liverpool, it was during the 2022 World Cup that he began his transition.

The Netherlands is set to face Croatia on Wednesday, with Spain and Italy competing in the other semi-final. Both the game for 3rd place and the final are set to be played on Sunday.

The post Cody Gakpo to Step Up for Netherlands in Nations League Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the best Dutch players in recent history, the 34-year-old Wesley Sneijder has decided to hang up his boots and retire from professional soccer. Sneijder signed a contract with FC Utrecht, the team from his home town until the end of the season but he will not play a single match in the following season. 

A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, Sneijder made his first steps in the most popular club in The Netherlands, signing a trial contract with the club. He impressed the coaches and was given a permanent contract.

Sneijder made his debut for Ajax in 2003 against Willem II in a 6-0 win. In that very same year, Sneijder established himself in the first team, starting against AC Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals. 

He was sold to Real Madrid for a fee of $27 million in 2007, winning the La Liga title in his first season with the club, only to be sold to Inter Milan in 2009 for $15 million. That transfer to Inter made Sneijder one of the best midfielders after winning the Serie A, Italian Cup and the UEFA Champions League title in one season. 

The post Dutch Legend Wesley Sneijder Retires appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cody Gakpo is looking to become the Netherlands’s first-choice center-forward at this week’s UEFA Nations League finals. Originally a left-winger, the 24-year-old player has been adapting to this role since joining Liverpool in January from PSV Eindhoven.

“Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position,” Gakpo told reporters on Sunday as the Netherlands prepares for the tournament. With Memphis Depay unavailable through injury, Gakpo is now in a prime position to lead the Dutch attack.

Gakpo went on to admit that several coaches had previously tried to convince him to switch from the wing to striker; a change that he resisted. During his interview, Gakpo said he has grown fond of his new position.

According to the player, Guus Hiddink was the first coach to recommend the change, telling Gakpo to become either a striker or a false number 9. During his time at PSV, Gakpo was given the same advice by Roger Schmidt.

While Gakpo completed his shift to the center during his time at Liverpool, it was during the 2022 World Cup that he began his transition.

The Netherlands is set to face Croatia on Wednesday, with Spain and Italy competing in the other semi-final. Both the game for 3rd place and the final are set to be played on Sunday.

The post Cody Gakpo to Step Up for Netherlands in Nations League Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the best Dutch players in recent history, the 34-year-old Wesley Sneijder has decided to hang up his boots and retire from professional soccer. Sneijder signed a contract with FC Utrecht, the team from his home town until the end of the season but he will not play a single match in the following season. 

A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, Sneijder made his first steps in the most popular club in The Netherlands, signing a trial contract with the club. He impressed the coaches and was given a permanent contract.

Sneijder made his debut for Ajax in 2003 against Willem II in a 6-0 win. In that very same year, Sneijder established himself in the first team, starting against AC Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals. 

He was sold to Real Madrid for a fee of $27 million in 2007, winning the La Liga title in his first season with the club, only to be sold to Inter Milan in 2009 for $15 million. That transfer to Inter made Sneijder one of the best midfielders after winning the Serie A, Italian Cup and the UEFA Champions League title in one season. 

The post Dutch Legend Wesley Sneijder Retires appeared first on SportzBonanza.