The Euro 2024 tournament is set to be one of the most eagerly awaited events in the near future. Among the qualified teams is the Dutch national team, known as De Oranje, who secured their spot with a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland last November. Recently, coach Ronald Koeman announced a preliminary squad of 30 players, which will be trimmed to 26 for the trip to Germany. Koeman's selections have sparked controversy, as several notable players were left out. Considering the challenging group the Netherlands is placed in, Koeman's choices could backfire if the team performs poorly in this edition.
In the current list of 30 selected players, several notable names were surprisingly omitted. Firstly, there is Jurrien Timber. Despite having a challenging debut season with Arsenal due to a long-term injury, Timber has recently resumed training with the squad. Nonetheless, Koeman opted not to include him, citing concerns about his fitness and stability.
Another notable exclusion is Sam Beukema. The 25-year-old has been impressive in Bologna's defense, contributing significantly to their qualification for the European Champions League next season. However, Koeman believes Beukema cannot compete with established defenders like Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, and Matthijs de Ligt.
The most controversial decision perhaps was leaving out the promising striker Joshua Zirkzee. Despite never having played for the senior Dutch national team, Zirkzee's outstanding season with Bologna, where he scored 11 goals in Serie A, makes him a strong candidate for the squad. His potential to boost De Oranje's attack is significant.
Additionally, veteran striker Luuk de Jong, who retired from international football in 2023, was also not recalled. This is despite his remarkable performance for PSV Eindhoven this season, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists in the Eredivisie. His experience and form could have addressed the concerns about the Dutch attack.
Koeman also overlooked Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers. Both players were considered for the squad before the final selection. Diks has previously represented the Netherlands at various youth levels, and Hilgers has played for the U21 team. Their exclusion raises questions about their future, with the possibility of them opting to play for the Indonesian national team still open if they remain on the periphery of the Dutch squad.
Despite not calling up Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, Ronald Koeman has included two other players of Indonesian descent in his squad: Tijjani Reijnders and Ian Maatsen. Tijjani Reijnders, whose mother Angelina Lekatompessy hails from Maluku and married former Dutch player Martin Reijnders, was previously targeted by Shin Tae-yong to play for the Indonesian national team. In fact, the 25-year-old midfielder, now with AC Milan, was the first player Shin Tae-yong sought to naturalize when he became Indonesia's coach. However, Tijjani chose to represent the Netherlands.
Similarly, Ian Maatsen, who has heritage from Indonesia, Suriname, and the Netherlands, has also received his first call-up to the Dutch senior national team. His impressive performances with Borussia Dortmund this season caught Ronald Koeman's attention, securing him a spot in the squad.
When some of the top players missed Ronald Koeman's radar, he still called up notable talents like Georginio Wijnaldum in his list of 30. Despite the controversy surrounding his choices, the Dutch squad for Euro 2024 is filled with star power. Key figures include Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, and Daley Blind, who has been successful at Girona. Jeremy Frimpong, who had a standout season with Bayer Leverkusen, also made the cut. The squad features Inter Milan duo Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij, bolstering the defense.
In midfield, the team is strengthened by Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, and Marten de Roon, who impressed with Atalanta. Additionally, Xavi Simons, Quinten Timber (twin brother of Jurrien Timber), Joey Veerman, and Jerdy Schouten from PSV Eindhoven add depth.
For the attacking lineup, Ronald Koeman is likely to deploy Wout Weghorst as the lone striker. He has also called up Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and Steven Bergwijn to enhance the offensive threat.
The Netherlands find themselves in Group D at Euro 2024, facing strong teams such as Poland, Austria, and France. This group presents a significant challenge, as each team will be well-prepared for this prestigious tournament. Ronald Koeman is expected to make the most of his selected squad to navigate through this tough competition.
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