KANSAS CITY — If England do tumble out of this World Cup earlier than any of us would like, the Netherlands could be the natural temporary switch. Ronald Koeman, once of Everton and Southampton, has picked no fewer than 20 current or former Premier League players in his squad. Nine of the XI who brushed past Tunisia in the Kansas City storms currently call England home.
But it’s one of the exceptions who catches the eye most. Denzel Dumfries has done many excellent things in Serie A and the Champions League in recent seasons, not least playing in two finals. He has also become a specialist tournament player: fabulous in Euro 2020, a goal and two assists at the last World Cup and flying again in 2026.
Dumfries might not have been in this team at all, had Jurrien Timber recovered from injury in time. As it is, Koeman has given Dumfries the entire right flank. The Dutch play a natural central defender at left-back – Micky van de Ven or Nathan Ake – and they all shuffle over to cover for Dumfries.
Dumfries is destined to never come to England, despite a desperate come-and-get-me plea (Photo: Reuters)
To say that he gets forward is underselling it. In the first 50 minutes against Tunisia, Dumfries had three shots and created a goal. He had no defensive contributions, but so what? The two Dutch central defenders had the most touches, but next came Dumfries. He is the outlet and the fire starter.
It works and it makes this team piping hot fun. The Netherlands are the joint highest-scoring team at this World Cup, level with a Germany side who scored seven of their 10 against Curacao. They have also conceded in every game. Perhaps that makes them the best embodiment of the group stage as a whole.
Dumfries is now 30, one of the senior professionals in Koeman’s squad. Only two players have more caps. Memphis Depay is increasingly a fringe figure given the Brian Brobbey renaissance. Virgil van Dijk is the captain and has 20 more caps, but he is also four years Dumfries’ senior.
The most fascinating aspect of Dumfries’ career? That he has never come to England.
After leaving PSV Eindhoven for Inter, there Dumfries remained until this summer. It is now Real Madrid – and new manager Jose Mourinho – who are reportedly likely to sign him this summer.
Dumfries would be perfect in the Premier League. He is fast, he is physical, he has an excellent final ball, he is capable of playing in a back four, as a wing-back or – as here – as an entire right flank on his own that allows a wide forward to roam infield.
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It isn’t for the want of trying. Last September, when on international duty, Dumfries was asked about transfer speculation and talk of a move to England. His response was… not subtle:
“The Premier League is a fantastic league, but right now I play in Serie A. But if the opportunity were to present itself, I’d jump at it. I’m happy at Inter, but I think I could do well in the Premier League as well.”
A move has been rumoured repeatedly over the last half decade. In 2021, Dumfries came close to a move to Everton but Rafael Benitez reportedly disagreed with Marcel Brands and the deal never happened. A year later, Chelsea were in talks but again pursued other targets.
As recently as April, Manchester United were credited with serious interest. Liverpool were mentioned in passing last year, when Arne Slot was replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold. They signed Jeremie Frimpong instead; Dumfries got into this squad ahead of Frimpong.
We all have those mystical, mythical players, linked with our clubs so often that we aren’t quite sure whether they actually exist: Leandro Damiao, Nicolas Gaitan, Yoann Gourcuff. But I’m calling it now. For his attributes, wanton desire to move here and number of linked clubs, Denzel Dumfries is the most Premier League player who never was.
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