with these 26 players Van Gaal can go to Qatar

• Jesse Wieten

  editor NOS Sport

This was it for Louis van Gaal and his staff. This was the international week in which the national coach had to get answers to most of the outstanding questions about his World Cup selection of 26 players. Although the intended players must of course continue to ‘deliver’.

The deadline for submitting the World Cup selections is November 13. We are already taking on the role of the national coach for a while, although there are still several question marks in the area of ​​injury. The basic principles are in any case that every position must be double occupied and that Van Gaal wants to take four keepers with him.

4 goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (NEC), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Mark Flek (SC Freiburg) and Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord)

Jasper Cillessen and Remko Pasveer seem to be competing for a place in the base in Qatar, with Pasveer showing his calling card against Poland and Belgium by keeping the zero and also having a wonderful reflex against the Red Devils on a bet by Amadou Onana. Although according to Van Gaal it was not a difficult save.

Unless Andries Noppert has distinguished himself in the penalty kick tests last week, the other two spots will normally go to Mark Fleks and Justin Bijlow.

Tim Krul canceled the tests and therefore also the World Cup. More or less the same applies to Kjell Scherpen as to Noppert.

5 centre-backs: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Jurriën Timber (Ajax) and Stefan de Vrij (Inter)

The choice is huge for the three positions in the center of the defence. Nathan Aké, Virgil van Dijk and Jurriën Timber form the intended basic trio and with Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij, Orange has luxury alternatives in the center and central right.

As an alternative left central, Van Gaal had Bruno Martins Indi in mind, but the AZ captain dropped out injured and will no longer make it to the World Cup, the national coach revealed after the game with Belgium. That offers some hope for Pascal Struijk (Leeds United), Armando Obispo (PSV) or Sven Botman (Newcastle United).

Given Tyrell Malacia’s substitute as left central defender in the second half against Belgium and also Daley Blind and right-legged Matthijs de Ligt as alternatives, it is more likely that Van Gaal will not call for a direct stand-in for Aké and a possible absence at another. way to solve.

4 wingbacks: Daley Blind (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United) and Devyne Rensch (Ajax)

With Blind and Malacia, Van Gaal has already determined his two wingbacks on the left. Owen Wijndal is in the waiting room. On the right is Denzel Dumfries (Inter) and one of the main questions in the interpretation of the World Cup selection is how the national coach will fill in the alternative.

Devyne Rensch was given the opportunity to show himself last international week, but only during the training sessions. Dumfries stood for ninety minutes against both Poland and Belgium. Van Gaal can also fall back on the weak playing Hans Hateboer at home against Wales, who has now been passed.

In this context, Jeremie Frimpong, already twice in the pre-selection, can also hope. The lightning-fast wingback impressed the Dutch Juniors against Young Belgium last Friday. Who knows if Frimpong continues to ‘deliver’ to Bayer Leverkusen?

5 midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta) and Kenneth Taylor (Ajax)

With Frenkie de Jong and Berghuis, the intended basic duo in the two least deep positions in midfield is more or less clear. With De Roon and Koopmeiners, Van Gaal has solid alternatives at his disposal and with Taylor also an eager two-legged talent who can play in both positions.

Jordy Clasie (AZ), Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich), Joey Veerman (PSV) and Jerdy Schouten (Bologna) only seem likely if one of the above players disappears. As a surprise, Van Gaal could also play for Feyenoord player Quinten Timber, now playing for the Dutch Juniors. This immediately gives him an alternative as a right wingback.

2 number 10s: Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Cody Gakpo (PSV)

Klaassen and Gakpo are the “complementary” types out of 10 according to Van Gaal. They both offer something different. With Guus Til, now not invited, as third number ten, the selection gets a positive factor especially off the field, but the question is whether Van Gaal thinks that is important enough.

“I need a team at the World Cup and players like Til are important in that,” Van Gaal said earlier. “It’s not just about being happy when you play, but also when you don’t play.”

Georginio Wijnaldum needs a miracle to make it to the World Cup. Xavi Simons is closer if the 19-year-old talent of PSV continues his development. “If a great talent suddenly emerges, I select him,” Van Gaal said on Sunday with hopeful words for Simons.

6 attackers: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas), Noa Lang (Club Brugge) and Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)

The basic couple in the front is fixed with Bergwijn and Depay. As an alternative to Depay, the question is whether Vincent Janssen has sufficiently proven himself as a ball-resistant real striker. He was substituted for the Belgians at halftime. Brian Brobbey has to be patient in case of a choice for Janssen.

As an alternative in attack, Noa Lang (Club Brugge) and Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal) under Van Gaal have proven that they can provide the team with an impulse with specific qualities. However, Lang, who can also act as an attacking midfielder, is still injured and Danjuma has just recovered after months of injury.

The players who have been missing for a while – Danjuma missed the last two international matches – have a ‘minus’ according to Van Gaal because they have missed part of the switch to the new system. “But if he is in great form, I will of course take him in,” Van Gaal said of Danjuma.

Donyell Malen is also only just fit and also missed the last two international matches. For him it is important to show himself at Dortmund. As a pinchhitter, Van Gaal has a choice of Wout Weghorst and Luuk de Jong. Or will the national coach take them both?