Netherlands announce squad for March international break; Memphis Depay returns
The Dutch will take on Spain in the Nations League quarterfinal.
Coach Ronald Koeman picked forward Memphis Depay for the Netherlands’ Nations League quarterfinal match against Spain on Friday, marking his first appearance in the team since the European Championship the previous year.
Koeman traveled to Brazil last month to observe Depay play for Corinthians of Rio de Janeiro, which led to Depay’s return.
After his deal with Atletico Madrid expired last season, the 31-year-old striker was left without a club and finally started playing again in October. Despite scoring twice in 12 starts in Brazil, he has been a mainstay of the Dutch team for a long time because of his 46 goals in 98 games.
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Depay is just four goals away from breaking Robin van Persie’s record for most goals scored for Netherlands.
With 12 Premier League goals so far this season for Bournemouth, Justin Kluivert, who rejoined the Dutch team in November, maintains his spot.
The 25-year-old earned his third Netherlands cap over six years after making his first two international outings in 2018 when still a young sensation at Ajax Amsterdam. He played 66 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League group stage.
After Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij suffered injuries, Koeman added Mathijs de Ligt, a defender for Manchester United, to the final 24-man Netherlands team roster after leaving him out of his preliminary roster two weeks ago.
Inter Milan’s De Vrij pulled out during the warm-up, missing his team’s Champions League victory over Feyenoord on Tuesday, while Manchester City’s Ake remains out following surgery last week for a fractured left foot.
De Ligt’s team defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday, advancing them to the Europa League quarterfinals.
Next Thursday, the Dutch will host Spain at De Kuip in Rotterdam for the opening leg of their last-eight match. Three days later, they will play again in Valencia.
Netherlands announce squad ahead of March international break
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Mathijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax Amsterdam)
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
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