Ronald Koeman has announced his 32-man pre-selection for the the Dutch matches in the Nations League. The most surprising name is that of Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch national team will play the Final Four of the Nations League in June in their own country, in which they will play against Croatia in the semi-finals. Spain and Italy are the other participants.
Koeman left yesterday Good morning Premier League already note that he would come up with a large pre-selection, so that all scenarios can be taken into account. Ultimately, there is a group of 32 players who can still hope for a place in the final selection of the the Dutch, which will most likely be announced in two weeks. Given the statements of the national coach on Sunday morning, a number of players were already certain of a place in the pre-selection.
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For example, Donyell Malen received all the praise for his performance at Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks and Koeman even said that the ‘problem on the right winger may have been solved’. The former PSV attacker will therefore also be able to take into account a place in the final selection. Whether that will also apply to Jasper Cillessen remains to be seen. The NEC goalie has made it to the pre-selection, but Koeman and goalkeeper coach Patrick Lodewijks are shocked by his mistakes in recent weeks.
The most striking name in the selection is that of Reijnders, because he has yet to make his debut for the Dutch national team and has not been in the pre-selection at all. The AZ midfielder is having a great season and has also been in good shape in recent weeks. Among other things, he scored the Alkmaar goal in the first leg of the semi-final in the Conference League against West Ham United (2-1). Koeman is apparently convinced and wants Reijnders in his pre-selection in any case.
The Dutch reached the Final Four of the Nations League by finishing first in a Group with Belgium, Poland and Wales. The Netherlands and Croatia will compete against each other in De Kuip on Wednesday 14 June during the first semi-final. The other semi-final between Spain and Italy will take place a day later in the Grolsch Veste. The FC Twente stadium will also be the setting for the consolation final on Sunday 18 June. The final will then be played in De Kuip. The Johan Cruijff ArenA and the Philips Stadium were not available in June due to other events.
The complete pre-selection of the Dutch:
Keepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Jasper Cillessen (NEC), Mark Fleks (SC Freiburg) and Bart Verbruggen (Anderlecht).
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Bayern Munich), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Kenny Tete (Fulham) and Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale).\
Midfielders: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AZ), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Joey Veerman (PSV), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord) and Georginio Wijnaldum (AS Roma).
Attackers: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Xavi Simons (PSV) and Wout Weghorst (Manchester United).