Ranking the 5 Best Transfers of Netherlands Players in the 2014 Summer Window

This summer, the Netherlands did remarkably well during the World Cup in Brazil, finishing third and beating well-respected nations like reigning world champions Spain along the way. 

Off the back of that World Cup, some of the Dutch players have earned transfers to bigger leagues. Other Dutch players—like Stefan de Vrij—were already very close to a move. 

Now, some of the talent that has developed in the Dutch Eredivisie will seep through to some of the top leagues in Europe. 

Here, we rank the five best transfers Netherlands players have made this summer.

Back in March, when usual first-choice player Kevin Strootman had just suffered a serious injury, manager Louis van Gaal was looking for a new midfield general. 

He didn't find one, and consequently the manager switched his tactics from his tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 to a newfound 5-3-2 formation. 

But what if Marco van Ginkel had been available? Quite possibly, the former Vitesse Arnhem midfielder would have been the perfect replacement for Strootman.

Unfortunately, Van Ginkel had been injured for almost a year, and was only just returning to fitness when Van Gaal had to announce his definitive World Cup squad. 

This is the core of the matter: Marco van Ginkel must return to full fitness, and he must do that at a club where he'll be allowed to play games. 

This summer, Van Ginkel moved from Chelsea to AC Milan on a season-long loan, and it looks like he will finally get the playing time he needs and deserves. 

That's a good development for all parties involved.

Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, there was already talk of Stefan de Vrij joining Italian side Lazio from Dutch club Feyenoord. 

De Vrij's performances during the tournament must have sealed the deal. As a constitutive part of Van Gaal's three-man defensive line, De Vrij must have made an impression on all scouts watching.

De Vrij has made the right call to move to Italy. There, defensive powerhouses such as De Vrij are usually well respected, and De Vrij will get every chance to flourish.

This is good for him, Lazio, and ultimately, the Dutch national team. 

It was always likely Bruno Martins Indi was going to leave Feyenoord this summer. But after the World Cup, it was truly unavoidable: The Feyenoord man was going to join a big club in Europe. 

In that regard, it might have been possible for Martins Indi to move to an even bigger club than FC Porto. But looked at from another perspective, the move makes a lot of sense: Although he has the Dutch nationality, the defender was born in Portugal and speaks the language. 

In Brazil, Martins Indi and De Vrij formed a rock-solid defensive duo. Now that their careers are progressing, they might be even better when Euro 2016 comes around. 

Daryl Janmaat was another Feyenoord player who looked poised for a move to a big league. In the end, he went to the Premier League, where he'll play for Newcastle United. 

Janmaat, who has looked like one of the best Dutch full-backs around for some years now, did not have the World Cup he was hoping for, losing his place in Van Gaal's first XI to the relatively unknown Paul Verhaegh a few matches in.

But that doesn't mean he's not a highly talented player. Constantly bombing forward on the right flank, Janmaat provides an attacking threat while staying secure at the back. 

At Newcastle United, Janmaat will surely become an ever better player, and at Euro 2016, he probably won't lose his spot again.

Will Daley Blind solve all of Manchester United's midfield problems? Probably not. But that doesn't mean he's not a very shrewd buy.

Last year's Dutch Player of the Year winner is a very versatile player, able to play as a left-back, centre-back and as a defensively minded central midfielder.

At Ajax, he has played in all of those positions, but truly rose to prominence as the anchor of the Amsterdam-based club's midfield. 

At the Dutch national team, Blind made an impression as a left wing-back, but was used as a centre-back when the situation required.

In midfield, Blind likes to break up play and quickly distribute the ball to set up a counter-attack. He's not just a tough tackler shielding the defence, he will also contribute going forward. 

What Blind lacks in physical strength, he makes up in intelligence. With Van Gaal's tactical versatility in mind, such a player should always be welcomed.