5 Netherlands Players Set to Light Up the Champions League

From Johan Cruyff to Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Netherlands have produced many players who have competed at the highest level in Europe. 

With the Champions League set to start this week, we take a look at five Netherlands players who could light up Europe in 2014-15. 

Some of the obvious big names will of course be mentioned, but with Ajax also participating in the competition this season, some of the Netherlands' most highly rated youngsters will be in the spotlight as well. 

Most footballers hit their peak in their late 20s and stop developing. This seems to be especially true for fast and technically gifted attackers. 

For Arjen Robben, however, the rules apparently don't apply. As we saw during the World Cup in Brazil, the Bayern Munich man seems to be getting better and better every year.

Ater the 2013-14 season, Robben was even nominated for a UEFA Player of the Year Award.

Will he be even better this year, or has he finally reached his maximum potential? 

Every few years or so, an extraordinary talent graduates from Ajax's famous youth academy.

Looking at the Amsterdam-based club's current generation, Davy Klaassen could well be the next big thing.

Klaassen has been dubbed "the new Bergkamp," and for good reason. Much like the former Arsenal star, he’s able to play as a striker, as well as an attacking midfielder.

Then there’s his excellent technique.

Last year, Klaassen was pivotal in Ajax's shock 2-1 Champions League win over Barcelona. This year, the two clubs will face each other once more.

Can Klaassen do it again? 

Two years ago, he moved from Ajax to Paris Saint-Germain.

This year, Gregory van der Wiel will return to the Amsterdam Arena to play against his former club in the Champions League.

The right-back, who was one of the Netherlands' star players during the World Cup in 2010, is not yet the player he could become. However, he is still making progress.

For Van der Wiel, 2014-15 will be a make-or-break year—and what better way to illustrate your evolution than by outplaying your former club?

Back in 2010, Wesley Sneijder reached the final of the World Cup with the Netherlands after winning the Champions League with Inter. Arguably, he was one of the best players in the world back then.

These days, the attacking midfielder is not rated as highly. However, as became apparent during the World Cup in Brazil, Sneijder is a very hard worker. He doesn't seem willing to simply fade into obscurity.

This year, Sneijder will do everything in his power to show the world that he is still good at playing football. Galatasaray fans should be delighted. 

Before the summer, not many people outside of the Netherlands had heard of Jasper Cillessen. However, after an excellent performance at the World Cup in Brazil, that has changed. 

The Ajax goalie is now seen as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe, and for good reason. For a year now, Cillessen's saves have been absolutely vital for club and country.

Ajax will be facing the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this year. While it will be difficult for Cillessen to keep a clean sheet, expect him to at least make a difficult save or two.