Analyst Youri Mulder has put forward a notable name for the Netherlands national team: Wouter Burger. The former international believes the 25-year-old Hoffenheim midfielder absolutely deserves a place on new head coach Xavi's list, as he told De Telegraaf in a report picked up by VoetbalPrimeur.
Mulder, who works regularly as an analyst, was asked which player to watch in the German Bundesliga this season. His answer was clear. "Wouter Burger. An underrated player in the Netherlands, who has fully blossomed in the Bundesliga," Mulder said. According to him, the Dutchman is currently one of the best players at Hoffenheim and has developed into one of the league's top midfielders.
Why is Wouter Burger an option for the Netherlands?
Wouter Burger is a 25-year-old midfielder who has been playing for Hoffenheim since leaving the Netherlands. Youri Mulder emphasizes that the player has fallen out of sight in his home country but has undergone significant development in Germany. Hoffenheim does excellent work in developing players and bringing in the right profiles, according to the analyst. This has benefited Burger. "Burger has become one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga," Mulder stated. His plea comes at a time when the Netherlands sits top of their World Cup qualifying group with 7 points from 3 games. The team has scored 10 goals and conceded 4, for a +6 goal difference. They hold a 2-point lead over Japan. The last result was a 1-1 draw with Morocco on June 30, 2026.
How does Burger fit into Xavi's current squad?
Head coach Xavi faces the challenge of further shaping his squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Spanish coach can call upon a team unbeaten in its last five matches, with a recent form of DDWWW. The next test is already on the horizon: on September 24, 2026, the Netherlands hosts arch-rival Germany at home. A player like Burger, who performs weekly at a high level in the Bundesliga, could be an interesting addition to the midfield, according to Mulder. Fans can follow the full squad and statistics on our squad and stats pages.
What does this mean for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers?
Mulder's suggestion does not come in a vacuum. The Netherlands is achieving good results, but competition for places in the squad remains fierce. The unbeaten run of 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 matches builds confidence but also expectations. The upcoming match against Germany is an important benchmark. An overview of all upcoming qualifiers can be found on our fixtures page. The team's position in the group is strong, but the battle for first place is far from over.
Youri Mulder has at least opened the discussion about a player he believes deserves more recognition. Whether head coach Xavi shares the same vision and will actually call up Wouter Burger remains to be seen in the coming period. Developments surrounding the squad are key for the World Cup preparations, which the Netherlands is approaching with ambition.
