Dutch footballer of the year press classification 1979-1994

So he omits any players who made their debut in the last 27 years from his top 12. That's very telling.

On the other hand, the video he made on the 11 "most important" Barcelona players includes three Dutchmen.

 

I was thinking there must be a typo in the magazine but it is the goalkeeper Metgod and defender Vonk, rather than the goalkeeper Hans Vonk (of South Africa) and defender Metgod

 

Yes and 'rounded center forwards' as Di Stefano (by his own Marca) and Van Basten had at times not super great ratings too.

Romario could be streaky. I assume in those games he scored they found it hard to give him a 9, while in others he got a low rating because of doing 'nothing'. He was pretty lazy. He divided opinions, also because of some incidents at times and there were claims he could make better use of his technical abilities (also for the Brazil team! if he played). Romario fell out with numerous coaches (PSV, Barcelona, Valencia).

Romario his partner Kieft had good ratings you show on the previous page, and I know for a fact he had also some assists indeed. Many more assists than Romario.

Can be it are different raters during the 1994WC? The regular season journalists on holiday? He was by some seen as a more rounded player while playing for Barcelona IIRC, his assist count - even if not always difficult in nature - is at least noticeably higher than during his PSV days.

It helps of course he scored in 5 of the 7 games in 1994WC, that tends to bump up the rating automatically, but it's intriguing he goes ahead of Stoichkov (though the doppelgangers tool labels him as a 'goalscorer' by trade). Baggio wasn't well received during the group stages and final match.

edit: we both noticed Romario's 1994 OPTA stats didn't stand out, but the doppelgangers tool shows him well in progressive dribbles and non-shot expected goals. Thus it might be the raters saw enough happening besides the goals, contributing enough besides scoring.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-comparisons/romario-1994/


In general I'm not a fan (compared to Ronaldo) mainly for three reasons:

- When he was injured (1991-92) they reached a better points total with near identical goal numbers as the season before and after. The season before his arrival they won the treble with 80+ points and 100+ goals. The next time they achieved 80+ points was... 1991-92.

- Despite his topscorer awards, he and the team were underwhelming in Europe. Also some incidents here like showing the finger to the coach when he was subbed out etcetera. Ajax reached a number of finals around that time, Feyenoord some semi finals. People expected a lot more of PSV, the richest team in the country at the time (EC '88 won with five ex-Ajax players). Does Romario share in the blame of that by his general unreliability and conduct? I think yes (for 3 of the 5 seasons, in the other 2 perhaps not).

- I don't see how he was better (more important) than Bergkamp during those years, who played for a worse team. He scored a similar amount of goals, did in general much more (also without ball: a trait he even showed post-2000 I saw in highlights), overall more successful in Europe and for the national team he also delivered against teams as Italy, Germany, England, Brazil around those years. If we talk about Ronaldo: he scored against numerous elite sides while Romario scored only three times against a team of that ilk (Argentina '89; England and Italy '97 who were both severely under-strength and Italy had only two days preparation time or so)


But yeah, if someone needs a striker for a 1990-2000 team then he's a strong option (next to Batistuta, Shearer...), just don't agree with the 'internet opinion' of placing him ahead of Ronaldo and/or MvB and in that sort of category. Ronaldo Luis was done for the top level at the age of 28, while the five days younger Totti continued until he was 40 - that's true.

 

Trying to do this objective, I'd break it down like this. Here I focus on his continental contribution, but also the wider context of his general delivery.


1988-89 (blame: no): Voted player of the year by his (opinionated) peers, for the first and only time (nominated in some later years, as posted in this thread). Topscorer in the league, showed up in the later stages of the domestic cup, scored against Real Madrid and in the Intercontinental Cup (not an important game for PSV, but still). Although for the Copa America he was generally placed one or two classes below his team-mate Bebeto, he delivered against Uruguay and Argentina. He wasn't eligible to play against Porto in the first round - not really his fault. Only downside was just 1 goal against the the best four teams of the league (including cup games), and he didn't do well in the UEFA Supercup. Overall a really good campaign.

1989-90 (blame: a bit): Started to take the penalties (with Koeman gone). Unfortunate that he broke his leg, they missed him against Bayern (2-2 on aggregate) but he wasn't in a super great form. Didn't make a difference in the domestic cup until that point, started the league well against Ajax (september 1989) but after that he didn't show up against the best five teams of the country (one goal against Roda). Ajax won the league as a result, PSV won the cup without him. 0 goals in 4 games for his national team. The game against Steaua Bucharest is often cited as his best performance for PSV. Topscorer of the league.

1990-91 (blame: yes): Really invisible against Montpellier (Laurent Blanc very impressive here). Disciplinary issues caused frictions in the team and organization. In exile for the national team, but he did show up big time against the top of the league (6 goals against Ajax and Feyenoord). PSV won the league, Feyenoord the cup. The Montpellier no show, after causing friction in the squad, and the exile for the national side, really counts against him. For me this is a 'yes.' Joint topscorer of the league with Bergkamp.

1991-92 (blame: yes): Disciplinary issues limited his appearances to two European games. In the two he played he was subbed off both times and he showed the finger to his manager. He struggled with injuries as well and as mentioned PSV won the league with a better points total and equally good number of goals. He was a man of flashes of brilliance rather than sustained influence (but there are more of those).

1992-93 (blame: yes): Outscored in the league by others (with and without penalties). Back playing for the national side (vs France, Germany) but no goals. The Champions League topscorer award is somewhat inflated by having four of his seven goals in the qualification rounds. He didn't deliver in the last four matches and by that point PSV wanted to get rid of him. Head coach Bobby Robson and the manager Ploegsma could tolerate him but their successors did not. Barcelona bought him relatively cheap (for a Brazilian superstar) I believe. Scored against champions Feyenoord but not against others of the top four.

Overall I feel he's perhaps in two without blame, but in three he is.


Of course he was in the end seen as an excellent player, some like 'Algemeen Dagblad' placed him as the #1 foreigner (not without discussion) and that he stayed for a few years at PSV gives him a good position. Occasionally he comes to visit the country, can speak the language a little bit. He does at times a good word for 'our' type of football like when in 1992 he said MvB is the best in the world, and here on Brazilian TV when he placed two orange players in his 'rest of the world XI'. He has matured somewhat, is a politician now, and has gained a broader perspective when he talks here.

The way 'the internet' tends to give him the 2nd most yearly inclusions of all Eredivisie players (behind Cruijff, ahead of the other greats) is though completely besides reality, even with the advantage of hindsight. He just didn't have the same sustained impact of a Litmanen, Nilis, Kindvall or Ronaldo (among others). Litmanen despite his injuries did a lot more on the european scene over a number of years, a key part of an 'invincible' team (unbeaten in the league and europe).

Romario his 1988-89 season is really strong (objectively speaking), also good are 1990-91 and 1992-93.

 

"Coen Moulijn, Johan Cruijff or Arjen Robben? Or anyone else? Maybe Marco van Basten? Who is the best football player in the Netherlands at this moment? Our northern neighbors have produced so many brilliant, versatile, balanced, clever and influential characters in football that it is a fun exercise to choose the best."


The editors had this as their top three:

1. Cruijff
2. Van Basten
3. Bergkamp

The readers came to this:

1. Cruijff
2. Van Basten
3. Rensenbrink
4. Robben
5. Bergkamp
6. Gullit
7. Seedorf
8. Moulijn
9. Van Hanegem
10. Rijkaard

-----------------

What I found interesting is that this 'wisdom of the crowds' is not too different from my personal conclusions.

The difference here is that I would move Seedorf outside this list (he's for me one of the dozen options for tenth), and Wilkes replaces Moulijn in this three-to-nine bracket that can be placed in any order (the one Rotterdammer replaces the other).

Moulijn his high position is probably aided by a few starring performances by him against Belgian teams, most notably the 9-1 victory in 1959 as one of his marquee games (there are others too, like England in 1964 for example). This remains Belgium their second highest defeat, behind a 11-2 defeat in 1909 against the England amateurs. Of course it is not the only 'plus' for him, but it helps. The match often returns in previews for derby matches.

 

Online link as confirmation:

https://sportmagazine.knack.be/spor...oos-johan-cruijff/article-normal-1471857.html

 

I accidentally saw a very interesting and intruiging interview with Tony Adams (b. 1966) this week about Feyenoord and related stuff. I'll translate later some of the interesting bits.

Perfect XI of 2006:
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/tony-adams-perfect-xi

Perfect XI of 2013













@PDG1978

 

Here some of the most intruiging bits, including stuff where we're lagging behind (in his eyes). Maybe he's mostly talking about ~15 years ago, while nowadays a number of the best Dutch youth coaches are (sadly!) working in England itself at high positions - where the finances and possibilities are endless.


Thus it can happen that an English football legend, whose heart is tied to Arsenal, reserves an extra place for a Dutch club. Tony Adams loves Feyenoord. "For me there is nothing above a matchday in De Kuip."
[...]
They picked him as the best Arsenal defender of all-time. Only Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp ranked higher in the popularity poll.
[...]
The first meeting with the trainer job at Wycombe Wanderers was not a success. Adams couldn't prevent relegation to the League Two. "It was at hindsight the wrong decision", concludes Adams now. "I didn't get to coaching, because I was too busy with managing. The club lost 7000 pounds a week. I discovered it is hard to let mature players learn additional stuff. To let them learn technical details."
[...]
Adams signed an internship contract and got the freedom to move around the youth academy by his own insight. The knife had two sides. Adams gained insight into an approach that has been copied more often than Louis Vuitton bags, with the knowledge copies have only rarely surpassed the original. Vice versa, Feyenoord hoped to draw upon the rich experience of the personification of a winner. "Liverpool had just won the Champions League in the bizarre final against Milan (where Liverpool turned around a 3-0 deficit, ed.). Henk van Stee was head of the department. 'Only English teams can make a comeback of this magnitude', I said to him. He asked me if I wanted to transfer this battling attitude to the Feyenoord youth. In this way we both benefited." Varkenoord felt as a warm bath. "Wim Jansen is like God. He has given me everything. He showed me everything. I couldn't believe how open and receptive all Dutch trainers were. I could start at the 'Beloften' and do what I wanted. One fantastic chance to learn coaching. Gain knowledge. I still remember well driving through the tunnel in the morning on the way to the club. The atmosphere was fantastic.
[...]
Also with the player material he had by his own saying little to complain. "Besides the young team I worked with under 12 and under 14. With players as Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi. Those were fourteen years old. Top talents. Of those there were a few. Royston Drenthe, Evander Sno, Lorenzo Davids and Jonathan de Guzman for example. We had a good group." Soon Adams discovered there were significant differences with the English style. "The tactics are set in stone: 4-3-3. The only variation is whether you play with the tip ahead or the tip behind. But what was very eye opening for a kick-and-rush Brit as me: you move a defender through towards midfield."

"In England you do it for the fans. Example: you are down with a few minutes to go, add a striker. Purely to show the fans you are doing all you can. That's what you don't do quickly. And do you know where you see the differences in perception the most? The terminology at the sidelines. My oldest son plays for Cheltenham Town. After the match you always hear the parents giving remarks as 'well battled' and 'fought for every meter'. In the Netherlands parents always talk about control over the match and points of improvement. That was fresh. I also have the impression that parents are much less compelling and pushy when it comes to the development of the child. In England there are many more problems with misbehaving parents.

The Dutch coaches are according to him also less directed by emotion. "They are more calculative than in England. Stay calm. Nowadays people like to see coaches shouting and sprinting across the sidelines like a madman. They think that is necessary. But in the Netherlands I learned you cannot really think if you are worked up. Control emotions, stay cool, and make the best decision for your team. That style I have adopted and carried along later trainer jobs. Sometimes it gets wrongly interpreted. Arsene Wenger was accused of having an uninterested attitude. But believe, inside it bubbles. By staying calm you can prevent impulsive decisions. That is generally something Dutch trainers have mastered for a long time quite well."

"What you also do well: couple the seasoned trainers to ex-players in the youth. It became my opinion that the best coaches actually should be working in the youth department. I also say often to Arsene that he has to go to Africa to teach the youth there. At Feyenoord it was custom to put quality trainers on the youngest age groups. One experienced trainer coupled with an ex-player. This way you educate not just players but also your own trainers. Very clever."
[...]
"Dennis is a very friendly man, with a wonderful family around him. He often likes to be private. I do wonder why he has a statue in London. No, just kidding. From a technical point of view he is the best footballer Arsenal ever had. Every fan affirms this. Without Dennis I would have won nothing. He by the way without me neither, I like to tell myself. Marc is a good friend. One totally different person than Dennis is. Some bit of an einzelgänger. A very talented footballer on top. I often visited his Go Ahead Eagles. Also now at Ajax. His son resembles him like two drops of water."
[...]
In the warmth of Varkenoord the already existing charm for Feyenoord developed into affection. Not the least because of the relative shelter he could work in. Who is accustomed to paparazzi and reporters in the trees, feels the approach of the Dutch press as an oasis. "I saw once Louis van Gaal completely barracking a player's wife. He absolutely destroyed her. Van Gaal had just won a prize and looked as if he had drunk too much, maybe. Reporters were standing nearby, but to my surprise the accident wasn't newsworthy."
[...]
"Van Gaal is a very sweet man, really, but can only talk about himself." Then the Rotterdam mentality fits better to Adams. "The people are very modest and humble. Very direct and straight to the point. Working class. I come from East London; it wasn't too difficult to identify myself with them. The club is in my heart. Feyenoord is phenomenal. I love the stadium a lot. I know there has been for many years discussion about a new habitat, but for me there is nothing better than a matchday at de Kuip. With all those people in the stands. The club fits me best. I was once chased by a group of Ajacieden. That makes me a proper Feyenoorder, right?"
[...]
According to Adams the English football world is made awake about alcohol addiction and depression. "Many things have changed down the years in this aspect. The English FA tackles the problem. It is not hidden and placed under the carpet any longer. To be honest I think the KNVB can learn a lot from us. Soon I will visit Zeist to talk about our work."
[...]
"It is very brave by him to say stuff like that about mental defects, but also risky", thinks Adams. "People often don't get it."
[...]
It is not unthinkable Adams will once return to Feyenoord. Back to working with the youth, to coaching instead of managing, to the Rotterdam shelter. Or, like someone with a poetic slant would say: to a club he doesn't have to carry alone.
[...]
Mr. Arsenal
Fans call Adams 'mister Arsenal', a status he derives from 609 matches in the first team, ten major trophies, and above all a to devotion bordering loyalty to the club he served for twenty years. He is still the only player to become English champion in three different decades as a team captain.

 

There are also some big problems/weaknesses over here (injury prevention for example; and that many of the best trainers work abroad) but in general good to keep perspective about things and incidents.

There are also taboos, or near taboos, as he indicates.

One peculiar thing is that there have been a few gay referees (some losing UEFA appointments because of that) but almost no footballers.

 

I liked the comments and comparison he made with Uruguay. Saw today this peculiar 'ideal XI' by the Uruguayan channel GolTV (october 2016)



Vd Sar; Suurbier, Koeman, F. de Boer, Krol; Gullit, Rijkaard, Cruijff, Seedorf; Kluivert, Van Basten

 

@PDG1978

I found something very interesting.

When 'Elf Voetbal' had their 400th issue in March 2015, they listed the top 400 Eredivisie players since 1981. Including text it are 50 pages.

The monthly magazine Elf Voetbal is basically together with the weekly VI and 'de Voetbaltrainer' (a more technical publication) one of the three long running publications.

"With some modest pride we present the top 400 of the best Eredivisie players in the existence of Elf Voetbal, the oldest and longest running monthly magazine. Please note: the accomplishments from before 1981 are not counted. We dived in our archive too. The list is of course subjective and contestable, but about the winner there can't be too many doubts."

Notable is the exclusion of Ziyech at that point (his 2nd full season was underway). For completeness I'll post the entire top 400. Maybe or possibly some have heard of certain sporadic names as Lamptey, Vampeta, Kiki Musampa, Henk ten Cate, Theo Snelders or some of the names that featured in the major tournaments like Engelaar or Keisuke Honda for Japan.

I use their spelling so Zhelyazkov becomes Jeliazkov.


400. Jan Jongbloed
399. Louis van Gaal
398. Johan Steur
397. Ferdi Vierklau
396. Michael Bradley
395. Royston Drenthe
394. Ali El Khattabi
393. Peter Wisgerhof
392. Marcel Peeper
391. Vampeta
390. Prince Polley
389. Jan van Halst
388. Alfons Groenendijk
387. Nii Lamptey
386. Henk ten Cate
385. Everton
384. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
383. Bjorn Vleminckx
382. Jatto Ceesay
381. Aad Mansveld
380. Jos Jonker
379. Frank Berghuis
378. Koos Waslander
377. Petter Hansson
376. Wim Balm
375. Hans Vonk
374. Cor Lems
373. Erik Nevland
372. Chris Dekker
371. Michel Boerebach
370. Daryl Janmaat
369. Ron Jans
368. Peter Boeve
367. Pierre Vermeulen
366. Henk Duut
365. Martijn Reuser
364. Harry van der Laan
363. Bruno Martins Indi
362. Ton Pattinama
361. Andy van der Meijde
360. Rick Hoogendorp
359. Stefan de Vrij
358. David Mendes da Silva
357. Roberto Rosales
356. Theo Lucius
355. Andre Hoekstra
354. Frans Janssen
353. Henk Timmer
352. Fernando Ricksen
351. Jurrie Koolhof
350. Henk Grim
349. Jan Mölby
348. Orlando Engelaar
347. Kamohelo Mokotjo
346. Zeljko Petrovic
345. Dick Nanninga
344. Jan van Grinsven
343. Andrej Jeliazkov
342. Brett Holman
341. Ruud Heus
340. Marcus Berg
339. Davy Klaassen
338. Oscar Moens
337. Graeme Rutjes
336. Jan van Deinsen
335. Kiki Musampa
334. Romeo Castelen
333. Christian Gyan
332. Nordin Wooter
331. Danny Hesp
330. Hans Galjé
329. Lex Immers
328. Jack de Gier
327. Mike Obiku
326. Dani
325. Theo Snelders
324. Mido
323. Paul Nortan
322. Peter Hoekstra
321. Stanley Brard
320. John Lammers
319. Klaas Drost
318. Maurice Graef
317. Jens Toornstra
316. Gérard de Nooijer
315. Dennis de Nooijer
314. Marco van Ginkel
313. Yassine Abdellaoui
312. Bart Latuheru
311. Stijn Vreven
310. Nico-Jan Hoogma
309. Frans Adelaar
308. Marco van Hoogdalem
307. Alfred Schreuder
306. Erik Willaarts
305. Earnest Stewart
304. Miroslav Stoch
303. Martin Laamers
302. Edwin Olde Riekerink
301. Keisuke Honda
300. Tim de Cler

 

299. Didier Martel
298. Arnold Bruggink
297. Dean Gorré
296. Wout Holverda
295. John van Loen
294. Wout Brama
293. Gene Hanssen
292. Edison Mendez
291. Danny Hoekman
290. Rodion Camataru
289. Piet Huyg
288. Fandi Ahmad
287. Harry Decheiver
286. Kevin Hofland
285. Piet Keur
284. Patrick Lodewijks
283. David Loggie
282. Anthony Lurling
281. Thomas Buffel
280. Hendrie Krüzen
279. Kew Jaliens
278. Ryan Babel
277. Martin Jol
276. Gert Kruys
275. Ali Ibrahim
274. Cheick Tioté
273. Jetro Willems
272. Maarten Stekelenburg
271. Henk Fraser
270. Willy Carbo
269. Adil Ramzi
268. Stijn Schaars
267. Sander Westerveld
266. Luuk de Jong
265. Marcel Brands
264. Nacer Chadli
263. Marciano Vink
262. Arouna Koné
261. Leroy Fer
260. Mariano Bombarda
259. Héctor Moreno
258. Jesper Gronkjaer
257. Lex Schoenmaker
256. Gerald Sibon
255. Pieter Huistra
254. Jozy Altidore
253. Urby Emanuelson
252. Ricardo van Rhijn
251. Jan Kromkamp
250. Keje Molenaar
249. Rob McDonald
248. Dwight Tiendali
247. Mahamadou Diarra
246. Michael Mols
245. Wim Koevermans
244. Marc van Hintum
243. Fred Rutten
242. Max Huiberts
241. Jeremain Lens
240. Bud Brocken
239. Danko Lazovic
238. Edson Braafheid
237. Juul Ellerman
236. Ernest Faber
235. Mateusz Klich
234. Michel van de Korput
233. Edgar Barreto
232. Dennis Rommedahl
231. Erik Regtop
230. Ton Lokhoff
229. Georgios Samaras
228. Carlos Salcido
227. Young-Pyo Lee
226. Jan Monster
225. Rob de Wit
224. Danijel Pranjic
223. Gerrie Kleton
222. Balazs Dzudzsak
221. Marcus Allback
220. Rasmus Elm
219. Orlando Trustfull
218. Erik Meijer
217. Sander Boschker
216. Vurnon Anita
215. Jeffrey Talan
214. Leo van Veen
213. Martin van Geel
212. Thomas Vermaelen
211. Barry Opdam
210. Lasse Schöne
209. Wim Jansen
208. Sergio Romero
207. Sami Hyypia
206. Edo Ophof
205. Peter Bosz
204. Anton Janssen
203. Igor Korneev
202. Adam Maher
201. Jonathan de Guzman
200. Ron Vlaar

 

The Jan Peters here below is the one of NEC, AZ, Atalanta and Genoa (31 caps, 4 goals). Not the one of Feyenoord (one cap).

199. Wilbert Suvrijn
198. Karim el Ahmadi
197. Jos Roossien
196. Sjaak Troost
195. Maarten Martens
194. Simon Tahamata
193. Ioan Sabau
192. Stan Valckx
191. Leonardo
190. Tijani Babangida
189. Mario Been
188. Tomas Galasek
187. Cees van Kooten
186. René Eijkelkamp
185. Filip Djuricic
184. Hennie Meijer
183. Bert Konterman
182. Glenn Helder
181. Frans Thijssen
180. Manuel Sanchez Torres
179. Jan Peters
178. Kevin Strootman
177. Adrie Koster
176. Heurelho Gomes
175. Johan de Kock
174. Demy de Zeeuw
173. Regi Blinker
172. Joris Mathijssen
171. Toby Alderweireld
170. Joop Hiele
169. Hatem Trabelsi
168. John Heitinga
167. Jordy Clasie
166. Bert van Marwijk
165. Piet Keur
164. Kees Pier Tol
163. Michel Kreek
162. Dries Mertens
161. Tscheu-La Ling
160. John Guidetti
159. Niklas Moisander
158. Dick Schoenaker
157. Michael Laudrup
156. Shota Arveladze
155. Ruud Hesp
154. Bas Dost
153. Arnold Scholten
152. Salomon Kalou
151. Graziano Pellè
150. Jasper Cillessen
149. Wlodi Smolarek
148. Alfred Finnbogason
147. Denny Landzaat
146. Georginio Wijnaldum
145. Piet Schrijvers
144. Mounir El Hamdaoui
143. Eddy Treijtel
142. Barry van Galen
141. Bwalya Kalusha
140. Eric van der Leur
139. René van de Kerkhof
138. Gregory van der Wiel
137. Memphis Depay
136. Kenneth Perez
135. Petur Petersson
134. Ronald Waterreus
133. Christian Eriksen
132. Julio Ricardo Cruz
131. Nigel de Jong
130. Michel Valke
129. Douglas
128. Peter Houtman
127. Siem de Jong
126. Adri van Tiggelen
125. Eljero Elia
124. Youri Mulder
123. Gheorghe Popescu
122. Wilfried Bony
121. Theo Janssen
120. Dirk Kuijt
119. Steven Pienaar
118. Erwin Koeman
117. Frank Arnesen
116. Brett Emerton
115. Roy Makaay
114. René van der Gijp
113. Hallvar Thoresen
112. Dejan Curovic
111. Theo Bos
110. Ibrahim Afellay
109. Jerzy Dudek
108. Miralem Sulejmani
107. Gaston Taument
106. Wesley Sneijder
105. Christian Chivu
104. Wilfred Bouma
103. Robin van Persie
102. Ronald Spelbos
101. Jefferson Farfán

 

100. Ulrich van Gobbel
99. Ji-Sung Park
98. Huub Stevens
97. Ed de Goey
96. Peter van Vossen
95. Jesper Olsen
94. Martin Haar
93. Ernie Brandts
92. Timmy Simons
91. Daley Blind
90. Nikos Machlas
89. Johann Vogel
88. Ben Wijnstekers
87. Milko Djurovski
86. John Metgod
85. John van den Brom
84. Dusan Tadic
83. John de Wolf
82. Arthur Numan
81. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
80. Boudewijn Zenden
79. Hans Gillhaus
78. Henrik Larsson
77. Edward Sturing
76. Bryan Ruiz
75. Giovanni van Bronckhorst
74. Rafael van der Vaart
73. Kees Kist
72. Mousa Dembélé
71. Winston Bogarde
70. Maxwell
69. Jozsef Kiprich
68. Jan Vertonghen
67. John Bosman
66. Edward Linskens
65. Richard Witschge
64. Kees van Wonderen
63. Blaise Nkufo
62. Willem van Hanegem
61. Arjen Robben
60. Hugo Hovenkamp
59. Luis Suarez
58. Alex
57. Jean-Paul van Gastel
56. Afonso Alves
55. Mark van Bommel
54. Bonaventure Kalou
53. Kristen Nygaard
52. Shinji Ono
51. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
50. Ruud Geels
49. Jaap Stam
48. Nwankwo Kanu
47. Phillip Cocu
46. Stefan Pettersson
45. Mateja Kezman
44. Patrick Paauwe
43. Ruud van Nistelrooij
42. Jan Wouters
41. Arnold Mühren
40. John Dahl Tomasson
39. Rob Witschge
38. André Ooijer
37. Bryan Roy
36. Paul Bosvelt
35. Sonny Silooy
34. Wim Jonk
33. Willy van de Kerkhof
32. Johan Cruijff
31. Stanley Menzo
30. Aron Winter
29. Pierre van Hooijdonk
28. John van 't Schip
27. Finidi George
26. Clarence Seedorf
25. Soren Lerby
24. Berry van Aerle
23. Marc Overmars
22. Luc Nilis
21. Ivan Nielsen
20. Patrick Kluivert
19. Jan Heintze
18. Michael Reiziger
17. Ronaldo
16. Ruud Gullit
15. Romario
14. Edgar Davids
13. Wim Kieft
12. Ronald de Boer
11. Eric Gerets
10. Dennis Bergkamp
9. Jari Litmanen
8. Edwin van der Sar
7. Ronald Koeman
6. Hans van Breukelen
5. Frank Rijkaard
4. Gerald Vanenburg
3. Marco van Basten
2. Frank de Boer
1. Danny Blind

 

Yeah some of the things had scratching my head a bit and would take another #1 perhaps. He's also one of those who has differing assessments (like e.g. Gullit). "Twice footballer of the year and twice runners-up."

One of the things going for the #1 is that he's also the one with the most league appearances in this time period (1981 to 2015). Fun fact: as only player of a full-time amateur club he played in the youth selection together with Gullit, Rijkaard, Kieft... Five european finals in thirteen seasons for Ajax is a nice average.