Bruins Slot backs RVP to succeed Cruyff

Ajax’s analyst Tonnie Bruins Slot feels Robin van Persie has what it takes to emulate Johan Cruyff at Euro 2012.

Cruyff was the undisputed star of the team that won over the world with their ‘total football’ at the 1974 World Cup, losing the final to Germany despite dominating the match.

Bruins Slot, a close friend of Cruyff as well as a scout for Eredivisie side Ajax, feels Arsenal striker Van Persie could play a similar role to his illustrious predecessor at the UEFA tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

“Johan always started as the team’s forward, and then dropped a bit deeper to direct play, and create space for wingers like Rob Rensenbrink and John Rep, and midfielders such as Wim van Hanegem and Johan Neeskens,” Bruins Slot told De Telegraaf.

“This indirectly led to the ‘Totaalvoetbal’ … played at the 1974 World Cup. Van Persie can play a similar role this summer, and it looks like (national team coach) Bert van Marwijk intends to use him like that.”

The Netherlands meet Denmark, Germany and Portugal in Group B of the European Championship.