Koeman goes for “new faces” in 35-strong Nations League squad

Oranje coach Ronald Koeman has dropped Georginio Wijnaldum and Marten de Roon from his squad for two forthcoming internationals, saying his preliminary selection “marks the start of a new period”.

“Of course, we are concentrating on the Nations League this autumn, but we are also looking further, towards the World Cup in two years,” Koeman said. “We have deliberately chosen a number of new faces and we have had to make choices about several experienced lads who have done Oranje great service.

“I have had personal chats with Daley Blind, Georginio Wijnaldum and Marten de Roon and explained why I am not calling them up, and am opting for new, young players.”

Blind went public with his retirement after 108 caps earlier this week. Both he and Wijnaldum (33) were part of this summer’s European championships squad but De Roon (33) was out with injury.

New faces in the 35-strong Dutch squad include Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United) and Kenneth Taylor (Ajax).

🗣️ @RonaldKoeman on our provisional squad for #NEDBIH & #NEDGER. 💬#NothingLikeOranje #NationsLeague https://t.co/TaRXXCbCN2 pic.twitter.com/LRTV33odk0

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) August 16, 2024

Players have been drawn from just four Dutch teams – Ajax and PSV both supply four, Feyenoord three and Sparta Rotterdam one.

Memphis Depay is also out of the squad. “He first has to find a club before he can be an option for us,” Koeman said. Frenkie de Jong is also out because he is still injured.

Oranje meet Bosnië-Herzegovina on September 7 in Eindhoven and Germany in Amsterdam on September 10. The first game against Hungary, the fourth team in the Dutch Nations League group is on October 11 in Budapest.