Ronald Koeman refuses to write off Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay for the European Championship. Both Dutch internationals are currently struggling with an injury and are racing against time to be present at the start of the European championship. Koeman thinks it is too early to draw conclusions now.

“It is too premature to draw a line under their name now,” it quotes Algemeen Dagblad from the mouth of the national coach. De Jong dropped out last Sunday with an ankle injury Clasico against Real Madrid. The midfielder will miss the rest of the season.

In injury time of the first half, De Jong screamed in pain after a duel with Federico Valverde for the ball. It had to be replaced immediately. De Jong had just recovered from an injury that kept him out for approximately six weeks.

“Such a recovery time is always difficult to estimate,” said Koeman. “It is now far too early to draw any conclusions. Let's first wait three weeks to see how Frenkie recovers. After that, there is still plenty of time to make decisions.”

Depay was injured during Atlético Madrid training on April 6 and has not played since. According to Spanish media, the attacker had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

As far as Koeman is concerned, it is no problem if De Jong and Memphis travel to the European Championship without rhythm. “Memphis already experienced that at the last World Cup, and Frenkie is a player who has long proven his importance; he will be there as soon as he is fit, and we know what we can do with him.”

An additional advantage for Koeman is that he can take 26 players with him, compared to a maximum of 23 players previously. The Dutch national coach himself was committed to that change. “That offers scope to also take a doubtful case to Germany,” he concludes.

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