Exactly one year after his last international match, a returning Gini Wijnaldum is again part of the selection of the Dutch national team. The veteran was immediately appointed vice-captain by national coach Ronald Koeman.
Koeman explains why a fit Wijnaldum is a certainty
Wijnaldum last wore the Orange shirt on March 29 last year against Germany. Because the 32-year-old midfielder made few playing minutes at Paris Saint-Germain, he then fell by the wayside with then national coach Louis van Gaal. In the run-up to the current season, he broke his tibia to make matters worse.
Wijnaldum has now fully recovered and is back at his temporary employer AS Roma. “It became a certainty, because he was going to play full matches,” Koeman explained his choice to the inspector. ‘Then I had contact and said: if you start playing again, you will still be in the picture. He’s fit and important to the group, I’m glad he’s back.”
Verdict on Memphis Depay
Koeman gave an affirmative answer to the question whether Wijnaldum is also reserve captain behind captain Virgil van Dijk. Both captains played a crucial role in Koeman’s first period as national coach. This also applies to Memphis Depay, who has not yet found his top form since his transfer to Atlético Madrid.
Will they again be the driving force in Koeman’s Oranje? He said, “That depends on the form and baggage of competitions. Fortunately, Memphis has started the last games. He hasn’t played a full game for a long time. You have to take that with you. Both (Memphis and Wijnaldum) are certainly still players who can be of value to the Dutch national team.”
Striking replacement for De Jong called: “Little rhythm? Does not matter”
National coach Ronald Koeman cannot rely on the injured Frenkie de Jong against France and Gibraltar. Who should replace the director of Orange?
De Jong sustained an injury in the closing seconds of the Clásico and will not be there during the first two European Championship qualifying matches. In the Eredivisie, Mats Wieffer excels every week, but at the table at Rondo another name fell as a replacement for the midfielder from Barcelona. Both Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit would start against France with Daley Blind as midfield controller.
