Frenkie De Jong Makes Long-Awaited Return To Netherlands Squad For Upcoming Nations League Matches

Add as a preferred source on Google

Frenkie de Jong is set to make his return to the Netherlands national team after 14 months. He has been included in Ronald Koeman's squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. De Jong last played for his country in a European Championship qualifier against Ireland in September of the previous year. The 27-year-old missed Euro 2024 due to an ankle injury but recently returned to action with Barcelona.

De Jong has participated in six matches across all competitions since his comeback, including Barcelona's Champions League victory over Young Boys. He aims to assist the Netherlands in progressing to the Nations League quarter-finals. Koeman's team currently holds second place in Group A3, tied with Hungary at five points. They will face Hungary at the Johan Cruijff Arena on November 16, followed by a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina three days later.

Other notable players returning to Koeman's squad include Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven and Devyne Rensch from Ajax. However, Memphis Depay and Nathan Ake have not been selected. Depay, who has made 98 appearances for the national team since 2013, was not chosen for the first four Nations League games. He joined Corinthians from Atletico Madrid in September and scored twice in six matches for his new club.

Nathan Ake also misses out despite recovering from a hamstring injury while playing for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola last month. The full Netherlands squad includes goalkeepers Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), and Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion). Defenders such as Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) are also part of the lineup.

The midfield features Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona alongside Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen and Ryan Gravenberch from Liverpool. Other midfielders include Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), and Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion). In attack, Brian Brobbey from Ajax Amsterdam joins Cody Gakpo of Liverpool and Justin Kluivert from Bournemouth.

The forward line is completed by Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam), and Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United). This diverse squad reflects Koeman's strategy to blend experienced players with emerging talents as they aim for success in their upcoming fixtures.

This selection highlights Koeman's approach of integrating seasoned professionals with promising young talents. The team's performance in these crucial matches will be pivotal as they strive for advancement in the Nations League.