Why Sepp van den Berg is the surprising replacement for the Netherlands

6 min Sam Planting Journalist VI See us more often on Google Sepp van den Berg (24) is the somewhat surprising replacement for Virgil van Dijk in the Dutch national team.

That Xavi has landed on the Brentford defender reveals that the new national coach – just like an illustrious predecessor – thinks in pairs. Analysis of a defensive talent who has chosen exactly the right club.

Analysis of the defensive choice

In the heart of the defence, for years the most widely occupied position in terms of valid Dutch national team candidates, his call-up nevertheless provokes mostly surprised reactions. Something that cannot be separated from the fact that Van den Berg has not played in the Netherlands since 2019. But away from the public eye in his home country, the right‑footed player has developed excellently.

After convincing loan spells at Preston North End, Schalke 04 (albeit brief, due to injury problems) and Mainz, Van den Berg still ended up stranded at Liverpool. While a move to the Dutch top flight was also among the possibilities, his choice in the summer of 2024 fell on the innovative Premier League mid‑engine Brentford. A decision that now works out excellently for the 24‑year‑old defender.

Because Van den Berg has especially developed qualities that are complementary to the defenders in the current Dutch selection – and that will become even more important when Virgil van Dijk eventually retires from international football. The fact that Liverpool signed the then‑PEC gem Van den Berg already at the age of 18 already reveals something about his physical attributes. In the era of infinitely deep Premier League wallets, the desired profile of a young centre‑back is already evident: over 1.90 m tall, naturally strong in duels and above‑average fast – especially over longer distances. Those three physical qualities are still visible six years later in Van den Berg’s play at Brentford.