When PSV Eindhoven paid 6.3 million euros for his services, it was a Dutch-league record for a transfer fee.  Then came his move to Manchester United in 2001, where he broke several records and was named the 2002 PFA Players’ Player of the Year.  In 2006, [...]]]> For the majority of his career, he has been a wanted man. 

When PSV Eindhoven paid 6.3 million euros for his services, it was a Dutch-league record for a transfer fee.  Then came his move to Manchester United in 2001, where he broke several records and was named the 2002 PFA Players’ Player of the Year.  In 2006, 24 million euros later, he was suiting up in Bernabeu for Real Madrid.

No matter where Ruud van Nistelrooy went the goals and the success followed.

In the summer of 2008, he would lead the Dutch as they took Europe by storm in the opening stages of the European Championships.  After a 3-1 loss to Russia in the quater-finals, the Dutch exited earlier than many would have expected.   A retirement from international football soon followed for van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch will likely need a happy and healthy van Nistelrooy if they are to be successful in South Africa

But now if the Dutch are to find success in South Africa this summer, it will require van Nistelrooy returning to the orange.

In November 2008, early into the La Liga season, van Nistelrooy suffered a knee injury that would keep him out for quite some time.  The big Dutchman was now out of football, so much so that Madrid gave his No. 17 shirt to another player for the remainder of the season.

Van Nistelrooy, more so than others, hates to be away from top competition.  When the Dutch failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, it was the 25-year-old van Nistelrooy whose angst for the world’s biggest footballing stage would be delayed four years.

After a callous loss to Portugal in the 2006 World Cup and several falling outs with then national team coach Marco van Basten; there were some who wondered if the prolific goal-scoring Dutchman would ever get another shot at international glory.

Fast forward to January 2010, van Nistelrooy has not played for the national team in a year and a half.  For Madrid he has appeared only three times, all as a substitute, since the 2008 knee injury.

After the reconstruction of Galacticos, van Nistelrooy was seen as expendable.  He then signed with Hamburg SV of the German Bundesliga.  It’s not exactly the top-flight football that van Nistelrooy is accustomed too.

But for the Dutchman, all is not lost.  More so, the move to Germany presents an opportunity.

At the club level, there will be far less pressure on van Nistelrooy.  He finds himself on a team that already has three fellow countrymen on it: Joris Mathijsen, Eljero Elia and Romeo Castelen.  In the case of Mathijsen, there is a veteran defender who has made several national team appearances with van Nistelrooy.  Then there is Elia, seen a budding star with the Orange, who could help ignite a possible return to the national team.

Should van Nistelrooy remain healthy, the make up is there for a cohesion with his fellow countrymen and a return to the national side is possible.

Now coached by Bert van Maarwijk, the national team is in desperate need of health for its stars.  Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was having what appeared to be a career season until an ankle injury sidelined him for some five months.

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben is a match winner on the wing, but has struggled to stay fit for most of his career.

Couple the Dutch health issues with the fact that Klaas Huntelaar, the supposed successor to the target striker position, has struggled with AC Milan this season and has yet to replicate van Nistelrooy’s value for the national team.

All of this makes van Nistelrooy’s move to Hamburg that much more important.  Simply put, the Dutch need van Nistelrooy.

Van Maarwijk is a coach that tends to rely on his veteran players; an in-form van Nistelrooy would more than likely become a favorite of the new coach to be selected for South Africa.  His inclusion would bring a leadership that historically the Dutch have needed.  A team that tends to self-combust could greatly benefit from the addition of van Nistelrooy.

As much as a healthy van Nistelrooy would be key to a possible Dutch resurgence, the newly acquired Hamburg striker must express an interest to return.  He is at this time still retired from international football.

If the Dutch arrive in South Africa with all of its stars healthy and van Nistelrooy leading them, they should pose quite a threat to the rest of the world next summer.

Dave Topp is contributing writer to RF Football.  He covers the U.S. men’s national team and the Eredivisie on a regular basis for World Soccer Reader.  You can follow him on Twitter under the username of Topper18.

Matias Vuoso had a goal off the bench in Santos's 2-0 win in Estadio Azul. (Photo: Newscom)

Cruz Azul’s Bicentenario struggles continues on Saturday, giving up two late goals at Estadio Azul in losing to Santos, 2-0.

Carlos Quintero’s 83rd minute goal would prove the match-winner, though Matias [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

Matias Vuoso had a goal off the bench in Santos's 2-0 win in Estadio Azul. (Photo: Newscom)

Cruz Azul’s Bicentenario struggles continues on Saturday, giving up two late goals at Estadio Azul in losing to Santos, 2-0.

Carlos Quintero’s 83rd minute goal would prove the match-winner, though Matias Vuoso’s 85th minute tally put the match away.

Narf! Zort! Poit! Gat! Set Piece Analysts.

On this episode of the Set Piece Analysts’ Women’s Soccer Pod, hosts Jeff Kassouf and Richard Farley discuss the news that  was overlooked amidst the Sol, dispersal news. Then Richard takes a brief look at the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where a notable side was defaulted from [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

On this episode of the Set Piece Analysts’ Women’s Soccer Pod, hosts Jeff Kassouf and Richard Farley discuss the news that  was overlooked amidst the Sol, dispersal news. Then Richard takes a brief look at the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where a notable side was defaulted from the competition two weeks ago.

Wig head. Set Piece Analysts.

Stefano Okaku Chuka celebrates scoring the fourth goal in Fulham's 4-0, Sunday win over Notts County. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Lately, Notts County has kept themselves in the headlines for both good and bad reasons, but with their FA Cup run coming to an end Sunday at Craven Cottage, [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

Stefano Okaku Chuka celebrates scoring the fourth goal in Fulham's 4-0, Sunday win over Notts County. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Lately, Notts County has kept themselves in the headlines for both good and bad reasons, but with their FA Cup run coming to an end Sunday at Craven Cottage, the Magpies’ only claim to fame in the near future will reside with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

That’s because the League Two side’s FA Cup run came to a thundering halt at the boots of the Premier League’s Fulham, with Cottagers methodically dismissing their guests by a 4-0 score.

Free Bird!!! Set Piece Analysts.

The draw for the sixth round proper of England’s FA Cup took place Sunday afternoon, setting the field for the eight clubs that will have survived a competition that started with 762 entrants.

But with four weekend draws leaving half the field to be defined by February 24th [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

The draw for the sixth round proper of England’s FA Cup took place Sunday afternoon, setting the field for the eight clubs that will have survived a competition that started with 762 entrants.

But with four weekend draws leaving half the field to be defined by February 24th replays, only one of the four quarterfinal fixtures was set.

Portsmouth, coming off a 4-1, fifth round, South Coast derby win over Southampton, is scheduled to host Birmingham City on the weekend of March 6 and 7. Birmingham City sits eighth in the Premier League, while Portsmouth is at the bottom of the same division, twentieth place, ahead of a mid-week date with the High Court which will determine their ability to fight off a winding-up order and stay active in both competitions.

Kung Hei Fat Choi Everyone! Set Piece Analysts.

Shay Given looks on as Ricardo Fuller's equalizer forces a reply. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Manchester City was unable to capitalize on their earlier dominance at Eastlands, permitting Stoke City to equalize through a Rory Delap corner, forcing a replay after their 1-1 draw in the fifth [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

Shay Given looks on as Ricardo Fuller's equalizer forces a reply. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Manchester City was unable to capitalize on their earlier dominance at Eastlands, permitting Stoke City to equalize through a Rory Delap corner, forcing a replay after their 1-1 draw in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Ricardo Fuller was the player on the end of Delap’s second half throw, the Irish midfielder only playing as a result of two first half injuries suffered in the Stoke midfield. As assist, however, helped equalize a Shaun Wright-Phillips opener in the 11th minute that hinted at a lopsided tie.

This site has it all, daily football updates and unsolicited life advice. Set Piece Analysts.

Second half substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeiye turned the South Coast Derby, helping Pompey to 4-1 win at the FA Cup Quaterfinals. (Photo: ZumaPress)

The South Coast Derby held an upset potential for seventy-five minutes, with Southampton looking to add to their rival’s troubles by pulling off a two-division-upset [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

Second half substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeiye turned the South Coast Derby, helping Pompey to 4-1 win at the FA Cup Quaterfinals. (Photo: ZumaPress)

The South Coast Derby held an upset potential for seventy-five minutes, with Southampton looking to add to their rival’s troubles by pulling off a two-division-upset over Portsmouth. But for one day, Pompey was able to put the trials of a winding up order behind them, going to St. Mary’s to knock their local foes out of the FA Cup.

Second half goals from Quincy Owusu-Abeiye, Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O’Hara left St. Mary’s stunned and put the 2007-08 FA Cup champions into the final eight, defeating Southampton 4-1.

If you ever get the idea to add soy milk to tea, don’t do it. Set Piece Analysts.

Holders Chelsea celebrate winning last season's FA Cup. (Photo: Newscom)

Bayer Leverkusen temporarily went clear of Bayern Munchen with their 21 win over Wolfsburg. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Though the scoreline won’t reflect the control Leverkusen had on Saturday’s match at the BayArena, the Bundesliga leader’s 2-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg exhibited all the qualities you would want to see [...]]]> There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

Bayer Leverkusen temporarily went clear of Bayern Munchen with their 21 win over Wolfsburg. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Though the scoreline won’t reflect the control Leverkusen had on Saturday’s match at the
BayArena, the Bundesliga leader’s 2-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg exhibited all the qualities you would want to see in a title contender: stars who can control a match, great organization in attack and defense, and the ability to overcome adversity – this time in the form of an opponent pushing the limits of the referee’s patience.

Panda Tears. Set Piece Analysts.

There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

“Are we so used to Egypt’s African dominance that we can’t see history? More likely, we don’t care.

Regardless, Egypt’s 1-0 victory Sunday over Ghana made the nation the first to win three consecutive Cup of [...]]]>

Captain Ahmed Hassen lifts the African Cup of Nations. (Photo: ZumaPress)

There is new content available at Set Piece Analysts:

“Are we so used to Egypt’s African dominance that we can’t see history? More likely, we don’t care.

Regardless, Egypt’s 1-0 victory Sunday over Ghana made the nation the first to win three consecutive Cup of Nations titles. An 85th minute goal from Gedo – the tournament’s leading scorer, despite never starting a match – expended Egypt’s CAN unbeaten streak to 19 matches.”

Oh look, a picture. Pretty picture…Set Piece Analysts.