France and Holland’s little secrets

After reading (and enjoying) Vitor Quinta’s article about how Cape Verde is responsible for providing footballing talent to countries such as Portugal & Spain, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight other countries that have become a supply chain to other national teams. This phenomenon occurs regularly but is not always highlighted and with players and their families emigrating and taking citizenship to European countries – this is an example of political influence dictating footballing culture.

There have been well-documented players who have played for their adopted country. The reasons for this are that they are influenced where they grow up and can arguably become a bigger part of them than their native country where their roots lie. Zidane, of Algerian descent, is probably the biggest case of this. Born in Marseille to Algerian immigrants, France has clearly benefited from the cultural connections between North Africa and France.

There are, however, a few countries that have produced more than one or two stars and have become somewhat of a supply chain. Two countries that have contributed hugely are the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe and South America’s smallest state, Suriname. These countries have provided France and Holland respectively with conveyor belt of talent of which is a strong feature of their modern day make-up.

Guadeloupe is French owned Caribbean Island with a population of just short of half a million. Thierry Henry is amongst the most famous who are of Guadeloupean descent; Lillian Thuram, Louis Saha and William Gallas also have family connections to the area – the latter having as close non-footballing tie to Guadeloupe.

Suriname is predominantly a Dutch speaking country and claimed by settlers in the 17th century. Relying heavily on African slaves to work in the primary nature of their trade, the link to football has now emerged. Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – the list goes on. Most of Holland’s best players from the last 20 years are of Suriname descent, players who complement the ‘Van Bastens’ and the ‘Koemans’.

Whereas France and Holland have benefited it’s maybe a shame that these players didn’t create a super team in their regions of descent. Currently Surinam does not have a strong national team however Guadaloupe have become a threat in the CONCACAF region, reaching the semi finals of the Gold Cup in 2007 – would they have won it with Henry et al?