Complex sentence: When the Dutchman did play him, he did so rarely, deploying him as a winger; thus, the player was unable to find his form during a period of largely substitute appearances, losing his place in the first team.
Split into simpler sentences: When the Dutchman did play him, he did so rarely, deploying him as a winger. Thus, the player was unable to find his form during a period of largely substitute appearances, losing his place in the first team.