ANP Ronald Koeman
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 00:13
The answer to the question why Dutch national coach Ronald Koeman has not selected players such as Joshua Zirkzee, Jurriën Timber, Mats Wieffer and Steven Berghuis for the European championship is simple: they are not fit enough. Koeman explained this on Monday during the television program Veronica Offside.
But the national coach makes exceptions, such as for regulars Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay.
“Because 26 players can be taken along, you make an exception for Frenkie de Jong. He can be fit towards the first group match,” said Koeman. De Jong has not played since he was injured during a Barcelona league match on April 21.
“Memphis has now played two games again, half an hour this weekend,” Koeman said. “We still have a training period and two practice matches. I think Memphis can start the tournament reasonably fit.”
EPA
De Jong has not played since he was injured on April 21
EPA
Depay only recently made his return to Atlético
Koeman announced his preselection for the European Championship in Germany last Thursday. Of the thirty players on the list, four still have to be dropped. The national coach must have completed his European Championship selection before June 7. Koeman also wants to announce his selection on May 29.
The Dutch team will play a friendly match against Canada on June 6 and against Iceland on June 10. The Netherlands starts the European Championship on June 16 with a group match against Poland. The Dutch team will play against France on June 21 and Austria will be the opponent on June 25.
2024-05-20 22:13:18
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