If we're backpatting, I do recall some very clever BS poster suggesting Dest's skillset would serve teams best with him pushed forward - even as a wide midfielder - can't recall his handle - I think it's a misspelling of a Dutch province or ancient kingdom or something. I'll see if I can remember... ow- my arm! Dest has done a very decent job improving his positional sense, to my eye. No doubt Koeman and Barca's crew have been working him on that, but I think he was a bit of a "go rogue" player early on. He's clearly a sharp student of the game - or at least of what he needs to do to keep getting on the field.
A happy Dest is a good Dest. He is even giving his shirt away. Is he running for president? I like this new Dest.
Man I can't be the only one who sometimes feels the need to pinch themselves about Dest. All those years waking up early and being excited to watch the likes of Joe Gyau, Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, and the list goes on.... And here we have a 20 year old not only starting for Barca but excelling. We've come a long, long way
Just like against Costa Rica, he left on the side of the field opposite to the bench, affording himself the opportunity to take a long, slow victory lap.
Not right now - since the Dutch are 3-0 in the Euros and Dumfries scored the game winner in the last game! lol.(Dumfries has actually been playing quite well so the head to head competition would be tough.) But overall: Timbers is getting game a LCD, van Aanholt is seeing minutes on the right, it's pretty likely that Dest, on this trajectory, would be getting in the squad and getting serious consideration for PT, (I'd guess he'd be ahead of Rensch who came in for Dumfries v. Turkey without doubt) but he would probably not be the level of National Team starlet as he is for the US (although the Dutch love them some Barca, be hard to sit a Barca starter for too long.)
Frankly I expected Dest to be moved to a wing/wide forward position much sooner. I think he'll do a lot better there, with limited defensive responsibilities. Same for the NT. PS: Now someone please move Sarge to AM or B2B.
BTW, I mean van Aanholt has been getting minutes on the left... Dumfries really has been on fire lately for the Dutch, so to declare Dest a sure starter is probably not possible, but it's also pretty obvious he'd be in the squad and at minimum seeing sub minutes.
Now you and the other Dutch fans are gonna tell us mazaroui is still better than Dest. Dest could win the ballon d’Or and we’ll get posts “well actually van aanholt is better” the salt will stay with you his entire career.
Huh? I'm saying Dest would certainly be in the mix but that this happens to be a hot streak for Dumfries - who is his direct competition at his best position. I included van Aanholt and Timbers to suggest players not as good as Dest were getting starts (albeit at different positions) so it's not hard to imagine Dest getting starts under the right circumstances. Why do people always want to make up things just so they can be mad? It's weird.
You can admit you and @DutchFanatic and the other Dutch posters shit on Dest when he was an 18 year old beating out maz at Ajax. Now the undisputed starter at Barcelona can’t be in the conversation for the oranje 11. You have a bias against him. You too @feyenoordsoccerfan
Puli left, Reyna center, Dest right in a 4231. But you're right, it's not going to happen. Dest at RB is going to be a defensive issue against strong teams, though.