Predicting the Netherlands' 2018 World Cup Squad

The World Cup has come to an end, and as Louis van Gaal departs to take up his new job as manager of Manchester United, Guus Hiddink will soon take over at the Dutch national team. 

In 2016, Hiddink will want to guide his team to victory at the European Championship in France. Then, Danny Blind—who will serve as Hiddink's assistant first—will become the Oranje's boss. 

During the World Cup in Brazil, we already saw a glimpse of the Netherlands' future, with various young players playing an important role. 

Here, we attempt to predict the squad Danny Blind might take to Russia for the World Cup in 2018.

Jasper Cillessen had an excellent World Cup in Brazil. Against opponents like Spain and Argentina, he made several vital saves at crucial moments.

At the age of 25, there's a good chance Cillessen will only get better in the future. Expect him to be the Netherlands' first-choice goalkeeper during the World Cup in 2018. 

Coming on as a substitute during the Netherlands' quarter-final effort against Costa Rica, Tim Krul single-handedly decided the penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. 

Although it remains to be seen whether Danny Blind will have the same trick in mind, should it come to penalties during World Cup 2018, Krul will surely be part of the squad again. 

Jeroen Zoet, possibly the Netherlands' most exciting young goalkeeper, is currently making a fantastic impression at his club PSV. In 2018, Zoet will be 27 years of age and possibly at his peak. 

Expect Zoet to be part of Blind's squad, if not as first or second goalkeeper than certainly as third. 

As a right-back, Daryl Janmaat received plenty of playing time in Brazil. 

Aged 24, Janmaat could be in the prime of his career when the next World Cup comes around. Expect him to be an important part of Blind's back line. 

Together with defensive partner Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij had an excellent World Cup. 

He could possibly move from Dutch side Feyenoord to a club in a big league this summer, per Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star. If this happens, he will probably only get better. 

Expect De Vrij to be one of the Netherlands' star players at Russia 2018.

Although he was part of the squad, Terence Kongolo did not get much playing time in Brazil.

In 2018, things will likely be different. Kongolo will be 24 then, and judging by his potential he could become a very good defender indeed. 

One of the players to break through Ajax's famous youth academy this year has been Joel Veltman. 

Like his manager Frank de Boer, Veltman is a ball-playing centre-back who knows how to contribute to the attacking phase of play. 

The World Cup came a little bit too soon for him, although he was in the squad. Expect him to form a solid defensive duo with Stefan de Vrij in 2018. 

Alongside Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi formed the Dutch back three in Brazil. 

Whether Blind will opt for a back three in 2018 remains to be seen, but it's unlikely Martins Indi will be left out of the squad altogether. He could, for example, be used as a more experienced counterpart to the relatively young Veltman. 

Daley Blind presented his talent to the world in Brazil, and in four years time he'll probably be even better. 

Able to play as a left-back, centre-back and defensive midfielder, Blind's versatility might just guarantee him a spot in the first XI for years to come. 

For a while, it seemed like Van Gaal had Jetro Willem in mind as his first-choice left-back. But shortly before the World Cup, Willems suffered an injury that ruled him out of the tournament. 

Under Hiddink, though, Willems might return to the Oranje despite Blind's impressive performances as a left-back. 

In the end, Jordy Clasie did not get as much playing time at the World Cup as he would have hoped beforehand. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a bright future ahead of him. 

The Feyenoord midfielder, sometimes referred as the "Dutch Xavi," might even become a pivotal member of Hiddink's and Blind's future Netherlands teams. 

Jonathan de Guzman got his first taste of World Cup football in 2014, and with plenty of Premier League experience under his belt it's unlikely that Hiddink and Blind will forget about him. 

In 2018, he might not be in Blind's first XI, but he'll almost certainly be part of the squad. 

He probably hadn't expected it, but PSV's Georginio Wijnaldum received significant playing time in Brazil. 

Mostly partnering Nigel de Jong at the base of the Netherlands' midfield, Wijnaldum made a good enough impression, although his natural position is much more advanced. 

As such, he's one of the candidates to replace Wesley Sneijder as the Oranje's future No. 10. 

Had Kevin Strootman not suffered a serious injury in March, he would have been a pivotal member of Van Gaal's World Cup midfield. 

In the future, then, he will likely return to his post as the Oranje's central midfielder. Expect Strootman to be one of the Netherlands' star players at Russia 2018.

In 2013, Marco van Ginkel earned himself a transfer to Chelsea, and had he not been injured he would have probably been part of Van Gaal's squad. 

If 21-year-old Van Ginkel manages to fulfil his potential at Chelsea or at another club, there's a good chance he'll develop into a world-class central midfielder. 

Together with Strootman, he could form an illustrious duo in central midfield. 

During the World Cup in Brazil, Leroy Fer scored a crucial goal against Chile, and had he not suffered an injury ahead of the round-of-16 match against Mexico, Van Gaal would have probably given him a lot more playing time. 

As one of the few box-to-box midfielders the Netherlands have, Fer will likely return to the Dutch squad for Russia 2018.

Besides a handful of appearances in various cup competitions, we haven't seen much of Nathan Ake. But now that he's knocking on the Chelsea first team's door, that might change soon.

In 2018, Ake could replace Nigel de Jong as holding midfielder and provide cover for the more advanced midfielders such as Strootman and Van Ginkel.

Wijnaldum isn't the only potential replacement for Sneijder. Feyenoord's Tonny Vilhena has a chance of becoming the Oranje's new No. 10 as well. 

In 2018, Vilhena will be 23 years of age. By then, he should be ready to show the world his incredible technique and creativity. 

As one of the most talented young players in Feyenoord's squad, Vilhena can be sure there's a bright future ahead of him. 

Memphis Depay played an important role in Brazil, offering an attacking impetus when things weren't quite going according to plan.

Against Australia, he scored the winning goal after coming on as a substitute, and against Chile he bagged another. All in all, Depay was one of the best young players of the tournament. 

Expect Depay to be the Netherlands' most important attacking player in 2018. 

It's been a while since the Netherlands have produced a skilful, quick winger in the mold of Marc Overmars, but Quincy Promes might just be what the Dutch have been waiting for. 

After an impressive performance during the Oranje's friendly against France in March, Promes was almost included in the squad for the World Cup but was left out at the last moment, presumably as a consequence of Van Gaal's decision to switch to a 5-3-2 formation. 

In 2018, though, Promes will probably act as Arjen Robben's replacement, 5-3-2 or not. 

Richairo Zivkovic was already regarded to be a wonderkid, but now that he has made a move from FC Groningen to Ajax, it is expected that he'll truly step into the spotlight next season. 

In 2018, Zivkovic could be the Netherlands' new star striker, although he'll have to prove himself in the Dutch Eredivisie first. 

In 2018, Robin van Persie will be 34 years of age. Although it differs from player to player, that could mean he won't have in it him to play at the highest level anymore in match after match. 

But as an experienced and world-class striker, he could still play an important role in the dressing room, helping and advising younger attackers like Depay and Zivkovic. 

Even though he'll be an older player, Blind would be foolish to leave Van Persie out of his Russia 2018 squad. 

Like Van Persie, Arjen Robben will not be the youngest player in 2018. But it's always good to have a couple of veterans around. 

Together, Robben and Van Persie can take the younger generation under their wings, demonstrating firsthand what it takes to perform during a World Cup. 

They might not be in Blind's first XI, but they'll surely play a pivotal role.