From Ajax, PSV and AZ juniors to the World Cup: the journey of Dutch talents

At each annual Keuken Kampioen Divisie meeting, Bondscoach Ronald Koeman emphasizes the importance of this league as a starting point for many players who later joined the ranks of the Dutch national team. During the KKD dinner, Koeman hands out the traditional Gouden Schilden and reminds that some Oranje players started their football career in this league. To nie tylko motywacja, ale i dowód na to, jak ważną rolę odgrywa liga w rozwoju talentów. Keuken Kampioen Divisie to prawdziwa kuźnia talentów dla Eredivisie, zagranicznych lig oraz reprezentacji Holandii. In this series of articles, we look at the players who will represent the Netherlands at the World Championships this year and whose careers began in KKD. W pierwszej części skupiamy się na zawodnikach, którzy grali w drużynach młodzieżowych Ajaxu, AZ i PSV w tej lidze.  As many as ten players of the current Dutch national team have played in the youth teams of these clubs in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Although the discussion about the wisdom of young players playing at the second level of the competition is still ongoing, the benefits of this solution are unquestionable. By playing against experienced players, young players gain invaluable experience, and playing in packed stadiums and greater media attention helps them develop. To wszystko przekłada się na sukcesy, czego dowodem jest ich udział w tegorocznym Mundialu.