Amsterdam begins a new international cycle with Xavi Hernández in charge, and the former Spain midfielder has made an immediate statement in his first Netherlands squad: Memphis Depay has been left out for the opening Nations League matches.
Depay, now with Corinthians and the Dutch national team’s all-time leading scorer, will not feature when the Oranje start their campaign against Germany on Thursday, 24 September. Xavi’s first selection also covers the meeting with Serbia three days later.
Quick facts
- Xavi Hernández has named his first Netherlands squad.
- Memphis Depay, the country’s record international scorer, is omitted.
- The Netherlands face Germany on 24 September and Serbia on 27 September.
- October brings fixtures against Greece on 1 October and Serbia again on 4 October.
The squad brings together players from across Europe and beyond, with Liverpool heavily represented. Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo are included, while Jeremie Frimpong also returns despite being listed among the Dutch defenders.
There is room for Premier League-based options Bart Verbruggen, Jurrien Timber, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Justin Kluivert and Ian Maatsen, while Xavi has also selected experienced figures including Teun Koopmeiners and Donyell Malen.
Netherlands squad for the Nations League
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen of Brighton, Robin Roefs of Sunderland and Mark Flekken of Bayer Leverkusen.
Defenders: Denzel Dumfries of Real Madrid, Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool, Lutsharel Geertruida of PSV, Jurrien Timber of Arsenal, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, Jan Paul van Hecke of Tottenham, Nathan Aké of Fenerbahçe, Micky van de Ven of Tottenham and Jorrel Hato of Chelsea.
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool, Tijjani Reijnders of Al-Qadsiah, Joey Veerman of Borussia Dortmund, Quinten Timber of Crystal Palace, Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus, Kenneth Taylor of Lazio, Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth and Gjivai Zechiël of Feyenoord.
Forwards: Crysencio Summerville of Al-Hilal, Donyell Malen of Roma, Brian Brobbey of Sunderland, Cody Gakpo of Liverpool, Noa Lang of Napoli and Ruben van Bommel of PSV.
The September dates offer Xavi a demanding introduction, beginning with Germany before Serbia arrive on the schedule. A further pair of Nations League fixtures follows in October, with Greece first and another contest against Serbia to come.
