Andries Jonker believes Netherlands Euro 2025 squad could be their ‘best ever’ | OneFootball

Netherlands manager Andries Jonker has given a glowing report on his squad for Euro 2025, saying that the team could be the best set of players the country has ever seen.

Despite the Netherlands winning Euro 2017, Jonker believes that his team this year could be even better than any of the previous squads which gives his nation a great chance of winning Euro 2025.

Netherlands stronger than ever

Current England boss, Sarina Wiegman, guided her home nation to eternal glory at Euro 2017 which was hosted and won by the Netherlands.

Although he was keen not to diminish the feat by Wiegman’s team, current Netherlands boss, Andries Jonker, holds his current team in an even higher regard.

“On paper, this is maybe the best team we have ever had.” Jonker said.

“Sarina had success with 10 or 11 outstanding players and managed to keep them fit. Of course, the others helped. But we had 15, 16 or 17 players at the highest level. I have some difficult [squad] choices. That is a big difference.”

Much of the Dutch team that won in 2017 are still within the ranks for Switzerland this year, but they have more experience under their belts eight years down the line.

One star who shone in the Netherlands’ Euros winning campaign was Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema, who finished the tournament as runner up for top scorer with four goals.

Miedema, who is one goal away from 100 for her country, is still playing an important role in the Dutch setup, but the 28-year-old has been nursing an injury ahead of the Euros that she is only just returning from.

“She is a world-class player and worked very hard, bringing a physio with her on holiday, training with [partner] Beth [Mead]. We are doing everything to get her fit.” Jonker said on Miedema’s injury.

Another forward who has just made her return from injury is Wolfsburg’s Lineth Beerensteyn, with the the Dutch winger coming back to training just days before her nation’s first game.

Can the Netherlands win a second Euros?

The Netherlands may have the best squad they have ever had this year, but they face some stiff opposition in group D which has been affectionately dubbed the ‘group of death’.

After their first game on Saturday against tournament debutants Wales, Jonker’s team goes head to head with a resurgent France team and an England side looking to win back to back tournaments.

But even Wales could prove to be a tricky opponent in Switzerland: “Everybody in my environment seems to think Wales are a piece of cake.” Jonker said. “And I think they are all wrong. I think Wales is tough. I do not have any sand in my eyes.’The group favourites?’ It will be who is in the best shape or maybe who has the most luck.”

The Netherlands enjoyed a good preparation ahead of Euro 2025 in the Nations League, but they did suffer disappointing results against Germany and Scotland that hampered their progress slightly.

Should they advance from the group of death, the Dutch certainly have a good chance of winning Euro 2025 with the best UK betting sites pricing the nation at just 9/2 to win a second European Championship in their last three attempts.