Xavi Simons and His Stacked Oranje Under-21 Debut Squad: Where Are They Now?

Xavi Simons‘ rise to stardom has been accompanied by his stacked Oranje Under-21 debut squad, where he showcased his talent alongside several promising young players. One of the standout names in the team was Scherpen, who has since had stints at Brighton and Sturm Graz following his youth success.

Geertruida, a key player at Feyenoord and a Dutch Cup winner, has progressed well since his under-21 days. Hilgers, another talent from the squad, is now a regular at FC Twente, aiming for a senior national team call-up.

Van de Ven, a quick and sturdy defender, has shined at Tottenham and earned a spot in the Dutch national team. Alongside Scherpen, Van de Ven has proven his worth on the international stage.

Van den Berg, who joined Liverpool at a young age, is still seeking a breakthrough despite loan spells at Preston, Schalke, and Mainz. Frimpong, now excelling at Bayer Leverkusen, has become a sought-after full-back in the Bundesliga.

Gravenberch, a former Ajax talent, moved to Liverpool, showing promise for the future. Tavsan, now playing in Italy with Hellas Verona, looks to make his mark at the international level.

Quinten Timber, a Feyenoord standout, earned his first senior Netherlands cap and continues to impress in domestic competitions. Bakker, who made moves to various clubs like PSG and Atalanta, seeks a national team call-up despite vast experience.

Maatsen, flourishing at Borussia Dortmund following loan spells, is set for a move to Aston Villa. Ekkelenkamp, a title winner at Royal Antwerp, remains focused on his career in Belgium.

Brobbey, who returned to Ajax after a stint at RB Leipzig, and Zirkzee, flourishing at Bologna after his Bayern Munich days, have both carved unique paths in their careers. The Oranje Under-21 squad, once teammates with Simons, has since ventured onto different trajectories, each aiming for success in their respective football journeys.