Wise to avoid investment on Van Persie being top Dutch scorer
Published:Despite enjoying a blistering domestic campaign for Arsenal that reaped 37 goals in all competitions, Robin Van Persie looks far too short at 2/1 to outscore his Dutch team-mates at Euro 2012.
The championships in Poland and Ukraine will represent the fourth major international tournament Van Persie has competed in, but he has failed to set the world alight in the other three.
His best haul came at Euro 2008, when he managed a return of two strikes, but still failed to top the goal charts even from a Netherlands perspective.
Meanwhile, his most recent outing at a major tournament was disappointing from a personal perspective, as his group stage goal in a win over Cameroon proved his only goalscoring contribution to Holland’s march to the final.
That performance came in the 2010 World Cup, in which Van Persie’s team-mate Wesley Sneijder collected the Bronze Boot after hitting five goals from midfield.
Sneijder was joint-top tournament scorer, and should be considered by punters at a big 8/1 to be top Dutch scorer at Euro 2008.
Attacking options within the Netherlands squad are abundant though, and any number of players look to have the capability to upset favourite Van Persie.
Imposing Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has enjoyed an incredible season in Germany, scoring 48 times in just 47 appearances to propel him into Poland and Ukraine in the form of his life.
Huntelaar has an impeccable goalscoring record at international level, and can add to his 31 Holland goals in 50 outings to challenge for the country’s top scorer accolade at 11/4.
Elsewhere, former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben always poses a big threat, with the Bayern Munich star’s pace and trickery making him an interesting prospect to top score at 6/1.
Tottenham star Rafael Van der Vaart is 14/1 meanwhile, and whilst he may not be afforded the same freedom he is at White Hart Lane, his penchant for long range efforts could see him in with a chance of justifying that price.
