Striker Memphis Depay has made his return to the Netherlands squad for the first time since last year’s European Championship, following coach Ronald Koeman’s call-up ahead of their Nations League quarter-final against Spain.
This selection comes after Koeman travelled to Brazil last month to observe Depay’s performances for Corinthians in Rio de Janeiro.
The 31-year-old forward had been without a club after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired last season, only making his return to action in October. During his time in Brazil, he has netted twice in 12 starts, solidifying his status as a key player with 46 goals from 98 caps for the Dutch national team.
Depay is now just four goals short of equalling Robin van Persie’s all-time scoring record for the national team.
Justin Kluivert, who was called back into the Dutch squad in November, retains his position after scoring 12 Premier League goals for Bournemouth this season.
The 25-year-old played 66 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Nations League group stage, earning his third cap more than six years after his debut, which included two appearances in 2018 while he was still a prodigious talent with Ajax Amsterdam.
While Koeman initially left out Manchester United defender Mathijs de Ligt from his preliminary squad two weeks ago, he has since reinstated him due to injuries affecting Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij.
Manchester City’s Ake will miss out after undergoing surgery last week for a fractured left foot, while Inter Milan’s de Vrij could not participate in his side’s Champions League win against Feyenoord on Tuesday, having withdrawn prior to kick-off.
De Ligt contributed significantly to his club’s advancement into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The Dutch will face Spain in the first leg of their quarter-final tie next Thursday at De Kuip in Rotterdam, with the return match scheduled for three days later in Valencia.
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).
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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