How Donyell Malen went from Aston Villa afterthought to Netherlands' World Cup hope | OneFootball

Things can change quickly in football. As Donyell Malen struggled for for regular playing time at Aston Villa last season, doubts around his World Cup place with the Netherlands will have crept in.

Malen made only five league starts in 21 appearances for Unai Emery's side across the opening months of the campaign, and only seven in 12 months at Villa Park.

He was overlooked under Emery despite often producing in cameos when called upon, averaging a goal or assist every 121 minutes. His limited action, however, led to a departure in January, and a transfer that has transformed his fortunes.

Roma came calling. A loan move was agreed, with an obligation to buy for €25m at the end of the season. Few at Roma are quibbling over that fee after Malen's remarkable impact.

The 27-year-old scored 14 goals in 18 games to fire the capital club to Champions League qualification, setting a new Serie A record for the most goals ever scored by a January signing.

Only Lautaro Martinez managed more across the entire Serie A season, with Malen just three goals behind the Capocannoniere winner, despite making 12 less appearances.

“If I had arrived at the start of the season, I think I could’ve won the Capocannoniere crown in Serie A. However, you never know in football, I arrived in January and just tried to give my all for Roma,” Malen toldCronache di Spogliatoio.

“Sometimes my teammates call me D9, like R9 for Ronaldo, but only when I play well. If I play badly, they call me other things…”

He hasn't played badly often.

For forwards, confidence is everything, and few in North America head into the tournament with their belief bigger than Malen.

He will line up for the Netherlands for their World Cup opener against Japan this evening with expectation upon him. The Dutch are not considered among the frontrunners for success this summer, but after finishing third at the 2024 European Championship, have the potential to upset the odds.

Ronald Koeman's side have defensive depth and a talented midfield group with a point to prove. The questions marks had been over a frontline. This is not a vintage Dutch side, but world-class talent has not got them over the line before.

In 2002, the nation's forward options included Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Makaay, Patrick Kluivert and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a quartet that boast five Golden Boot wins across Europe's top-five leagues and a European Golden Shoe between them. That team did not even qualify for that summer's World Cup.

The current squad lack that star power, but the ingredients are there for a successful summer. Malen's ability to take his Roma resurgence into theWorld Cup might just be what their hopes hinge on.