Koeman wants ‘new faces’ among 35 Nations League players

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has omitted Georginio Wijnaldum and Marten De Roon from his squad for two upcoming international matches, saying his initial selections “mark the beginning of a new period”.

Koeman said: “Of course, we will focus on the National League this autumn, but we will also look further into the future, to the World Cup in two years. We have deliberately chosen many New faces and us A choice had to be made between a couple of experienced lads who had done great service for Oranje.

“I have had private conversations with Daley Blind, Georginio Wijnaldum and Maarten De Roon and explained why I did not call them up but chose new young players instead.”

Earlier this week, Blind announced his retirement after 108 caps for his country. He and Wijnaldum (33) were both selected for this summer’s European Championships, but De Roone (33) was absent due to injury.

The Dutch squad consists of 35 players, including new faces such as Jorel Harto (Ajax), Jan Paul van Herk (Brighton and Hove Albion), Justin Kluivert (AFC Bournemouth), Crescencio Somerville (West Ham United) and Kenneth Taylor (Ajax).

🗣️ @RonaldKoeman In our temporary lineup #I don’t & #Nedger.💬#NothingLikeOranje #NationalLeague https://t.co/TaRXXCbCN2 pic.twitter.com/LRTV33odk0

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) August 16, 2024

The players in the competition come from only four Dutch teams – Ajax and PSV Eindhoven Both Supply four, Feyenoord three and Sparta One Rotterdam.

Memphis Depay also failed to make the squad. “He has to find a club first and then he can be an option for us,” Koeman said. Frenkie de Jong is also out through injury.

The Oranje will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Eindhoven on September 7 and Germany in Amsterdam on September 10. The first match will be against Hungary, fourth in the Dutch Nations League group, on October 11 in Budapest.

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