Foreign Player Transfers: Lessons from Dutch Football Tactics

In 2026, Vietnamese football was in a period of reconstruction following years of upheaval. Amid this context, domestic experts began paying attention to how European clubs — particularly in the Netherlands — built their squads through transfer strategies. A match in the Dutch Eredivisie between Feyenoord and NEC offered a noteworthy perspective on how a mid-tier European team managed lineup changes after losing a key player. Watching the match on television, the first thing that caught attention was Feyenoord's deployment of a 4-3-3 formation — a tactical system that many domestic experts at the time considered suitable for an attacking style with wide flanks. The lineup included: goalkeeper Ernst, right-back Read, center-backs Watanabe and Mármol, left-back López, three central midfielders Vanhoutte, Zechiël and Valente, and three attacking forwards: Hadj Moussa on the right, Diarra on the left, and Ferri as the central striker. The most notable point was the center-forward position. Previously, the club had transferred their key striker Ueda to Lille OSC — a deal that left many concerned about attacking power. However, the coaching staff quickly inserted Ferri as replacement. This was a bold decision, as Ferri was a young player with limited experience at this level. Compared to Ueda — a Japanese striker with high pressing ability and fluid movement — Ferri may offer a different profile. This raises the question: can the team adapt tactically to suit the new player's characteristics? Another change was the inclusion of midfielder Vanhoutte in the starting lineup instead of Targhalline. According to records, Targhalline had performed poorly in the 2-2 draw against ADO Den Haag — a lower-ranked team in the Dutch system. This decision demonstrated that the coaching staff prioritized performance over reputation. This was a clear message to the entire squad: no one's position is guaranteed with poor performances. The 2-2 draw against ADO Den Haag contained many lessons. Feyenoord had trailed 0-2 before equalizing. This indicated the team had issues with match-starting phases or early defensive organization. Against NEC — which had just won 3-1 away against PEC Zwolle — Feyenoord could not afford complacency. Beyond the pitch, the transfer market also showed notable movements. Winger Hadj Moussa was reportedly being monitored by Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad. If this deal materialized, Feyenoord would lose another significant attacking outlet. However, this remained rumor with no official confirmation. In reality, player agents often generate media noise to drive up prices or expand contract options for their clients. Long-term, Feyenoord maintained a model of developing young players, buying from secondary markets and selling to larger leagues. This was financially sustainable but meant the squad was perpetually in transition. The real challenge lay not in who they signed, but in whether the team could create cohesion among new players in the shortest possible time. The match against NEC would be a crucial test for both Feyenoord's tactics and mentality. A positive result would ease concerns about losing Ueda; a defeat would intensify questions about the club's transfer policy more than ever.