Top 15 best center backs in Dutch football history
This is the author’s subjective ranking.
*Eligible players are those who have played in at least one international match for the Netherlands national team.
*Most of the player photos are dry forms owned by Monk Beopjeong, a Players user. However, I created the players that Court did not create.
*The sources of the records are RSSSF and Transfermarkt, and in case of conflict between the two records, the former takes precedence.
*The record date is as of September 30, 2023.
*Daily Blind and Ruud Krol are listed as wide defenders.
15th place Jon Heitinga
Date of birth: November 15, 1983
A match record: 7 goals in 87 games
Physical requirements: Height 180cm / Weight 72kg
Primary team: AFC Ajax
An Indonesian-Dutch defender, he was not very tall, but he made a name for himself with his man-to-man defense using his sturdy body and quick feet. He was also able to play as a right back due to his quick feet.
Heitinga, who debuted at Ajax in the Eredevi City and received attention as a rookie and was selected as Ajax's Talent of the Year in the 2000-01 season, has won the Eredevi City twice, the KNVB Cup three times, and the Johan Cruyff Shield four times. Heitinga is an individual player. He was also selected as one of the league's best elevens in the 2007-08 season. Even at Everton in England, he did not produce outstanding results due to the limitations of his team's power, but he won the Everton Player of the Year award in the 2011-12 season.
As a member of the Netherlands national team, he played on the bench at Euro 2004 as his country advanced to the semifinals. Afterwards, he appeared in two more World Cups and Euros, and contributed to his country's runner-up finish at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
14th Nation Ake
Date of birth: February 18, 1995
A match record: 5 goals in 40 games
Physical requirements: Height 180cm / Weight 75kg
Current team: Manchester City
He is a top center back and left back in the current generation Premier League. Although his physical condition is not good for a center back, he plays clean, intelligent and stable defense based on excellent anticipation and appropriate positioning.
Although he rarely got a chance to play at Chelsea in the Premier League, he began to grow at Bournemouth, and at Manchester City he played a big role in helping his team win the treble by solidly protecting the left side of the team in the 2022-23 season.
With the Netherlands national team, he won two consecutive UEFA U-17 Championships, especially in the 2011-12 season, when he won the trophy as captain. As a member of the senior national team, he participated in Euro 2020 and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, playing a key role in the latter tournament and advancing to the quarterfinals. .
#13 Whip Stevens
Date of birth: November 29, 1953
A match record: 1 goal in 18 games
Physical requirements: Height 182cm / Weight 76kg
Primary team: PSV Eindhoven
As a stopper who made a name for himself on the Dutch stage in the 1970s and 1980s, he overpowered opposing attackers with his tough physical fight and sharp sliding tackles, and even threatened the opponent's goal with a threatening header in a set-piece situation.
Stevens, who showed solid defensive skills while working with Adrie van Kraj and Erni Brandz at PSV Eindhoven, won the Eredevi City three times and achieved a regular league and KNVB Cup double in the 1975-76 season and the 1977-78 season. In addition to winning the regular season, they won the UEFA Cup.
12th Adrie van Krai
Date of birth: August 1, 1953
A match record: 17 games, 0 goals
Physical condition: Height 184cm / Weight 78kg
Primary team: PSV Eindhoven
As a libero who made a name for himself on the Dutch stage in the 1970s and 1980s, he was an intelligent defender who showed talent in stealing the ball with appropriate cover play and sharp sliding tackles based on his ability to quickly and accurately judge the situation, or in breaking the flow of the opponent's attack with a clever foul.
Stevens, who showed solid defensive skills while working with Whip Stevens and Erni Brandz at PSV Eindhoven, won the Eredevi City three times and achieved the regular league and KNVB Cup double in the 1975-76 season and the 1977-78 season. Following the regular league win, they won the UEFA Cup.
As a member of the Netherlands national team, he participated in UEFA Euro 1976 and the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. In the former tournament, he led his country to third place as a starting player, and in the latter tournament, he finished second as a backup member, losing out to competition from Ruud Krol, who changed his position to libero. did.
11th place Matthijs Delicht
Date of birth: August 12, 1999
A match record: 43 games, 2 goals
Physical condition: Height 189cm / Weight 89kg
Current team: FC Bayern Munich
As a top center back in the current generation Bundesliga, he showed excellent competitive ability both on the ground and in the air with his tall height and powerful body, and was also good at rear build-up based on fluid ball control and high-precision passing ability, as well as Ajax's captain at a young age. He is also famous for his strong leadership.
De Ligt, who attracted attention at Ajax under Ten Haag, has already led the team to the UEFA Europa League final in the 2016-17 season and was selected for the tournament's All-Star squad. He also played a major role in winning the Eredevisie and KNVB Cup double in the 2018-19 season. Of course, he also played a major role in advancing to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, beating Juventus and Real Madrid, and was awarded the Dutch Player of the Year award. At Juventus, he won the Serie A in the 2019-20 season and the Coppa Italia in the 2020-21 season, and at Bayern Munich, he led the Bundesliga championship in the 2022-23 season and was selected as both the Kicker Team of the Year and the Best Eleven by VDV.
De Ligt, who won the Golden Boy award in 2018, also finished second in the UEFA Nations League with the Netherlands national team. However, for his national team, he performed poorly at Euro 2020 and only appeared in the first match at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Nevertheless, there is certainly room for a rebound as he is a player who is highly evaluated by the wives of Ramos, Lippi, Capello, and Scirea.
#10 Stephen the Frey
Date of birth: February 5, 1992
A match record: 3 goals in 60 games
Physical condition: Height 189cm / Weight 85kg
Primary team: Inter Milan
As a top center back in Serie A in the late 2010s, he does not stand out for his intelligent defense, which is excellent at predicting the opponent's movements in advance and winning the ball, but he is a practical center back who can stably block the opponent, and is also good at build-up based on quick passes. .
Derfray, who debuted at Feyenoord and received attention for his outstanding performance, moved to Serie A's Lazio and played there, finishing second in the Coppa Italia twice and winning the 2017 Supercopa Italia. He also reached his peak at Inter Milan, winning the Serie A in the 2019-20 season. A runner-up and Europa League runner-up, he was selected as Serie A Defender of the Year and UEFA Europa League All-Star. And in the 2020-21 season, he won the Serie A championship and was selected as the Serie A Squad of the Year for two consecutive seasons, and in the 2022-23 season, he experienced second place in the UEFA Champions League as a backup member.
As a member of the Netherlands national team, he played as the core of the defense at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, contributed to his country's advancement to the semifinals, was selected as an All-Star team, and also participated in Euro 2020 and the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
9th place Wim Reisbergen
Date of birth: January 18, 1952
A match record: 28 games, 1 goal
Physical condition: Height 181cm / Weight 80kg
Primary team: Feyenoord
As a center back who made a name for himself in the Eredevisie during the 1970s and 1980s, he was a typical stopper who made a name for himself with his physical fight and powerful tackles that devoured opposing attackers.
Reisbergen, who attracted attention by leading Zwolle's promotion to the first division, was at his peak at Feyenoord, winning the Eredevi City title and the UEFA Cup in the 1973-74 season, and also played for Bastia in France and New York Cosmos in the United States.
As a member of the Netherlands national team, he took over as a starting player when Israel and Hulshov suffered from injuries, and finished second in both the 1974 West Germany World Cup and the 1978 Argentina World Cup.
8th place Ernie Brandz
Date of birth: February 3, 1956
A match record: 28 games, 5 goals
Physical condition: Height 187cm / Weight 83kg
Primary team: PSV Eindhoven
A center back who made a name for himself in the Eredevisie during the 1970s and 1980s, his main role was as a stopper due to his ability to compete for air supremacy and stable defense due to his tall height and high jumping ability, but he also played as a libero and defensive midfielder based on his high-level tactical plan. , He also played left-back perfectly.
Brandz, who displayed solid defensive skills while working with Adrie van Kraj and Hub Stevens at PSV Eindhoven, won the Eredevi City title twice and the regular league title in the 1977-78 season, followed by the UEFA Cup in 1978. And in 1979, he was selected as one of Europe's Best Elevens by Onges Mondial.
As a member of the Netherlands national team, he played as a main player in the 1978 Argentina World Cup and led the team to second place. He scored against Austria with his overwhelming air superiority ability as mentioned above, and despite scoring an own goal against Italy, he scored the equalizer himself, setting the stage for a comeback. It was also prepared.
#7 Barry Hulshoff
Date of birth: September 30, 1946
A match record: 6 goals in 14 games
Physical condition: Height 185cm / Weight 84kg
Primary team: AFC Ajax
As a stopper who dominated the European stage in the first half of the 1970s, he was a defender who strictly followed the principles of powerful and tough tackling, excellent heading clearing, and penetrating forward to attack and defend with all his might.
Barry Hulshov, ranked 8th in Ajax's total appearances, played as a member of the 'Sons of God' and led them to 6 Eredevi City titles, 4 KNVB Cups, and 3 consecutive European Cups, and achieved a historic treble in the 1971-72 season. He contributed greatly to achieving this and ranked 7th in the 1972 Ballon d'Or voting.
However, unlike his brilliant club career, he was not used in the national team due to poor compatibility with Linus Israel and Ari Han.
#6 Dani Blind
Date of birth: August 1, 1961
A match record: 42 games, 1 goal
Physical condition: Height 176cm / Weight 72kg
Primary team: AFC Ajax
The father of Daley Blind, who led Ajax's advancement in the late 2010s, and a defender who represented the Eredevisie in the 1990s, he was a bit short for a center back, but he cut off the flow of the opponent's attack with a well-timed interception and defended his defense with excellent cover play. He overcame his weaknesses and was able to play as a right back and libero.
Danny Blind, ranked third in Ajax's total appearances, played as a member of the 'Sons of God' and won the Eredevi City title five times and the KNVB Cup four times, as well as the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in the 1986-87 season and the 1991-92 season. By winning the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the 1994-95 season, they set a record of winning all three major competitions organized by UEFA. The following year, they also won the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, making 1995 the year of Ajax in name and reality. Of course, personally, he was selected as ESM Team of the Year in the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, and won the Dutch Golden Shoe in 1995 and 1996.
He also made his debut as a member of the Netherlands national team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, and finished second at Euro 1992 and reached the quarterfinals of the 1994 USA World Cup.
#5 Linus Israel
Date of birth: March 19, 1942
A match record: 3 goals in 47 games
Physical condition: Height 179cm / Weight 87kg
Primary team: Feyenoord
He was the best defender on the Dutch stage in the second half of the 1960s and the first half of the 1970s, and was known as the best libero in Europe at the time with his strong man-to-man defense ability, excellent long passing, active attack participation, and appropriate defensive cover, so much so that he was called Iron Linus.
Israel, who made his debut in DWS and achieved the miracle of winning the Eredevisie in the 1963-64 season, later joined Feyenoord and won the Eredevisie three times, achieved a regular league and KNVB Cup double in the 1968-69 season, and the European Cup and the 1970 European Cup in 1970. He won both the Intercontinental Cup and the regular season and UEFA Cup double in the 1973-74 season, winning the Dutch Player of the Year award in 1970 and 1975 in the process.
Israel, who was firmly guarding the back door of the Oranje corps, which was famous for its total football in the national team, was an unlucky player who could not play in the World Cup due to an injury suffered ahead of the 1974 World Cup in West Germany.
#4 Frank de Boer
Date of birth: May 15, 1970
A match record: 13 goals in 112 games
Physical condition: Height 179cm / Weight 77kg
Primary team: AFC Ajax
As a player who led Ajax's golden age in the 1990s, he perfectly played the role of leader of the team's first build-up and defensive line based on sound defense and precise left-foot passing, and consistently maintained good skills.
Franck de Boer, who achieved the golden age of the club with his twin brother Ronald de Boer, led the 'Sons of God' to win the Eredevisie five times and the KNVB Cup twice, as well as winning the UEFA Cup in the 1991-92 season on the European stage as well as the UEFA Champions League. He achieved great results in the Champions League, winning once, finishing second, and reaching the semifinals once. In particular, in the 1994-95 season, he won the UEFA Champions League and the Erede Visi undefeated, and in the process, De Boer also won the 1995-96 season. He was named to the ESM Team of the Year and finished 11th in the Ballon d'Or voting in 1998.
Franck de Boer, the first member of the Dutch national team to join the Century Club, participated in three UEFA Euros and two FIFA World Cups with the Oranje. In particular, he wore the captain's armband at the 1998 France World Cup and Euro 2000 and played as a leader of the team, helping the team advance to the semi-finals. He made a great contribution and showed his honor by being selected to the All-Star team in both competitions.
#3 Jaap Stam
Date of birth: July 17, 1972
A match record: 67 games, 3 goals
Physical condition: Height 191cm / Weight 87kg
Primary team: Manchester United
Stam, who was evaluated as one of the best defenders in the late 1990s, was praised by fans and called the rock of Kampen by completely dominating opposing attackers, both on the ground and in the air, based on his tall height, strong physique, and fast speed.
Stam, who attracted attention by winning the KNVB Cup in the 1995-96 season and the Eredevi Championship in the 1996-97 season with PSV Eindhoven and winning the Dutch Golden Shoe and Player of the Year awards, enjoyed his prime at Manchester United in the 1998-99 season. They achieved three consecutive Premier League titles, including a treble, and in the process, Stam personally won the UEFA Defender of the Year twice and the PFA Team of the Year three times in a row, but due to a conflict with Ferguson, he left for Serie A's Lazio and won the Copa. After winning the Italian title, he went to Milan and ended his career at Ajax.
With the Netherlands national team, he worked with De Boer and participated in the 1998 France World Cup and three Euros. In particular, he led the team to the semifinals of the 1998 France World Cup and the 2000 and 2004 Euros.
2nd place Virgil van Dijk
Date of birth: July 8, 1991
A match record: 6 goals in 60 games
Physical condition: Height 195cm / Weight 92kg
Primary team: Liverpool FC
The best central defender of the current generation, despite his overwhelming physical size of 193cm, he has excellent agility, and has quick feet with a measured maximum speed of 34.5km/h. He is capable of predicting defense and psychological warfare using his clever brain, as well as build-up using excellent passing ability. He is also a perfect defender with the ability to participate in attacks using dribbling.
Van Dijk, who reached his full potential after joining Liverpool after playing for Groningen, Celtic, and Southampton, won the Champions League in the 2018-19 season and competed with Messi in the Ballon d'Or voting, but unfortunately came in second place and was left by the club for the 2019-20 season. achieved their first win since the launch of the PL. Van Dijk has also been named to the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Year four times, PFA Team of the Year three times, and ESM Team of the Year three times.
With the Netherlands national team, he finished second in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but was somewhat disappointing compared to his club performance.
1st place Ronald Koeman
Date of birth: March 21, 1963
A match record: 14 goals in 78 games
Physical requirements: Height 182cm / Weight 82kg
Primary team: FC Barcelona
As a goal-scoring defender, he was a libero who scored double-digit scores for many seasons. He was an offensive defender who was good at scoring and creating chances using basic defensive skills, excellent build-up ability, and strong kicking power.
He spent his heyday in Eindhoven and Barcelona, and at the former club, he scored a whopping 21 goals in the Dutch league in 1988, ranking third in scoring despite being a defender, and showing off his spirit in helping Eindhoven achieve a treble.
At Barcelona, he played a key role in Cruyff's system, winning four consecutive La Liga titles and winning the final European Cup in the 1991-92 season, scoring an incredible free kick against Sampdoria in extra time in the European Cup final. He was in the top 20 of the Ballon d'Or three times, scored double-digit goals in official games for 10 consecutive seasons, and was joint top scorer in the European Cup in the 1993-94 season.
Koeman, who played a key role as libero in the national team, participated in two European Championships and the World Cup wearing the Oranje uniform. In particular, he led the team to victory at UEFA Euro 88, was selected as one of the best eleven of the competition, and was a member of the club's In addition to the treble, Koeman showed his potential by placing 5th in the Ballon d'Or voting in 1988 and also played as a starting player in the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 1994 World Cup in the United States.