Xavi still cannot appeal to Memphis Depay for the time being. The Barcelona forward is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Xavi was positive about Depay’s recovery last week and expressed the hope that he will be able to have him again soon. However, the Champions League match with Viktoria Plzen is still too early for the the Dutch international, which increases the concerns of national coach Louis van Gaal towards the World Cup.
The World Cup starts in just under three weeks. The Dutch national team will play its first group match in Qatar on Friday, November 21 against Senegal. Depay, like Frenkie de Jong, was injured last month during an away match of the Dutch national team against Poland in the context of the Nations League. Xavi hoped for a return from Depay last week against Viktoria Plzen (Tuesday) or Almería, which will visit the Spotify Camp Nou next Saturday. However, like Robert Lewandowski, the attacker has not traveled to the Czech Republic with the selection.
Depay is part of Van Gaal’s 39-man pre-selection. The choice lord of the Dutch must announce his final list of 26 players for the World Cup in Qatar on November 11. Van Gaal indicated in September that he would keep a spot free for Depay and De Jong, who is now fit again and has conquered a base place at Barcelona.
“When Frenkie and Memphis left, I gave them a heart,” said Van Gaal at the time. “I keep a place for them as long as possible, but they have to be fit.” Van Gaal believes that Depay and De Jong have earned a place in the World Cup selection: “They have meant so much to this Dutch national team. Memphis has scored goals and provided assists. Frenkie de Jong has also been so important. Because of him we can play football under the pressure of the opponent. Frenkie is a determining factor.”
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