Netherlands Top Scorer Memphis Depay Included in World Cup Squad After Injury Worries
Memphis Depay, who has 55 goals for the Dutch, and Jurrien Timber were selected despite recent injuries and limited club minutes.
- On Wednesday, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman named Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber to the World Cup squad despite fitness concerns, with the 32-year-old Depay having made only two substitute appearances for Corinthians in two months due to thigh and calf injuries.
- Timber's groin injury forced him to miss 14 Arsenal matches after being injured against Everton in mid-March, though he returned to training this week ahead of Saturday's Champions League final, as did forward Noa Lang following a finger injury suffered in Champions League play for Galatasaray against Liverpool.
- The squad features uncapped debutants Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United and goalkeeper Robin Roefs from Sunderland, alongside surprise returnee midfielder Marten de Roon who won his last of 42 caps two years ago, while defenders Stefan de Vrij and Jeremie Frimpong were excluded due to injuries.
- Coach Koeman displayed confidence in his choices during Wednesday's press briefing, with Justin Kluivert among the first players reporting to training in Zeist on Monday as the coach prepares to elaborate on his selections at a full press conference later Wednesday.
- Warm-Up friendlies against Algeria in Rotterdam on June 3 and Uzbekistan in New York on June 8 will test the Dutch squad's form before the World Cup begins, allowing Koeman to assess fitness levels among recently injured players.
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Despite the lack of competitive rhythm after a few weeks without playing for injury, Brazilian Corinthians Memphis Depay is part of the 26 called by Dutch coach Ronald Koeman for the 2026 World Cup.
Depay has to prove fitness before World Cup says Dutch coach
AMSTERDAM, May 27 : Selecting Memphis Depay for the Netherlands' World Cup squad was always on the cards, but the country's top scorer must now prove himself over the next few weeks before the tournament kicks off, coach Ronald Koeman said.The 32-year-old Depay, whose 55 goals in 108 appearances make him the
In March, national coach Ronald Koeman was still philosophizing at length about what his ideal World Cup squad would look like: consisting solely of top-fit players who had been working at full throttle at their clubs. But as is so often the case, laws and practical obstacles stood in the way between dream and reality, as the famous lines by Willem Elsschot state.
Associated Press News
Netherlands top scorer Memphis Depay included in World Cup squad after injury worries
Netherlands top scorer Memphis Depay recovered from injury just in time for coach Ronald Koeman to include him in his 26-man squad for the World Cup next month.
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