Sport
Depay has to prove fitness before World Cup, says Dutch coach Koeman
The 32-year-old was named by Koeman in the 26-man Dutch squad for the FIFA World Cup
Selecting Memphis Depay for the Netherlands’ World Cup squad was always on the cards, but the country’s top scorer must now prove himself over the next few weeks before the tournament kicks off, coach Ronald Koeman said.
The 32-year-old Depay, whose 55 goals in 108 appearances make him the most successful striker for the Dutch national team, was named by Koeman in the 26-man squad for the finals despite only two substitute appearances for his Brazilian club Corinthians over the past two months.
Half of those minutes came for struggling Corinthians over the weekend, but Koeman said Depay had told him he would be starting Copa Libertadores tie at home to Platense of Argentina.
"I would have preferred him to have played minutes earlier. But in April, I didn’t know when he would be able to play minutes again. He can be an asset, just like Jurrien Timber,” the Dutch coach told a press conference after his squad was released.
"I selected Memphis because of who he still is. I don’t see anyone else in that position who can do it. I believe he can be an asset, but he does have to get through the coming period well,” the coach added. "We have two friendly matches. If he were where I think he needs to be, then he can start. If he is not, then he won’t start. I know he can fill the role of backup as well.”
Arsenal defender Timber is another who will need game time after a groin injury kept him out since March. "We have Ian Maatsen and Lutsharel Geertruida on the standby list for Timber. The situation with him is that he was supposed to train with Arsenal today, to assess for the weekend. They have the Champions League final on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit for that match,” Koeman said.
Justin Kluivert has also been given a vote of confidence despite knee surgery in January and only two substitute appearances for Bournemouth since completing his rehabilitation.
Kluivert was among the first players to report for training at the Dutch camp in Zeist on Monday, along with Noa Lang who has recovered from a bizarre finger injury suffered playing in the Champions League for Galatasaray against Liverpool in March and was also picked.
West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville and Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs are both uncapped while there was a surprise return for midfielder Marten de Roon, who won the last of his 42 caps two years ago.
But there was no place for veteran centre back Stefan de Vrij, after a thigh injury suffered in Inter Milan’s last game of the Serie A season at Bologna on Saturday, or Liverpool full back Jeremie Frimpong.
The Dutch warm up for the World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, against Algeria and Uzbekistan before their opening Group F match against Japan in Dallas on June 14.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Olympique de Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam).