Jan Hoeksema
Latest update:
Ian Maatsen is the permanent replacement for Frenkie de Jong, who has withdrawn with an injury, from the Dutch national team, it has been reported. Football International Tuesday morning. Ronald Koeman surprisingly replaces the midfielder by adding a defender to the selection.
Monday evening was an evening of extremes for the Dutch team. The practice match against Iceland was won convincingly 4-0 in De Kuip, but Teun Koopmeiners' withdrawal injured in the warm-up was a blemish on the victory.
Shortly after the final whistle in Rotterdam there was an extra downer. The KNVB communicated that Frenkie de Jongs' recovery was slower than hoped and that the FC Barcelona midfielder would therefore not go to the European Championship in Germany.
A big loss for Koeman and associates, as De Jong has to leave the best midfielder of the selection at home. The national coach announced at the press conference after the friendly match that he would call up a replacement.
It immediately became clear that Quinten Timber and Mats Wieffer were not still eligible for a role in Koeman's selection. The pair of Feyenoord midfielders are not fit enough for that, according to the former defender.
It is now known that Ian Maatsen is De Jong's replacement. The Borussia Dortmund left back was part of the pre-selection for the European Championship, but was dropped at the last minute.
Koeman may be considering this after calling up the international wing defender BVB to move one of the defenders from the original final selection to midfield. Both Daley Blind and Lutsharel Geertruida have been called up for a role in the back line, but can also play in midfield.
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