The Dutch World Cup jersey numbers: ‘I am curious whether Koeman will give number 7 to Crysencio Summerville’ | Sport

Today the KNVB will announce the jersey numbers of the 26 players who will go to the World Cup. Dutch watcher Maarten Wijffels about the distribution of those numbers, where there is always something to do during final tournaments.

Maarten, today is the big day: the announcement of the big jersey numbers. Who actually determines those numbers?

“Haha, it’s not that important anymore. Maybe for the public, but I have the feeling that most players no longer attach such value to it. National coach Ronald Koeman determines those jersey numbers, but that is all done in consultation with the player council. You have to coordinate that a bit and make sure that everyone feels comfortable with it.

Some players have had a fixed jersey number in the Dutch team for years, but not everyone has that status yet. If they cannot reach an agreement, Koeman will make the decision. I can’t imagine them sitting together for hours to do that. In any case, high jersey numbers are not allowed, everything must be from 1 to 26.”

Which jersey numbers are you most curious about this time?

“In the previous international matches, Stefan de Vrij always had number 6 and Xavi Simons number 7, but they are not there this World Cup due to their injuries. I am curious whether Koeman will give number 7 to Crysencio Summerville. He has yet to make his debut, but that will of course give the boy a boost.”

“That is also an interesting one. Memphis Depay has been playing striker for years with number 10 and will now also get that number. In recent years, Wout Weghorst almost always had number 9 and Donyell Malen number 18, but I do not rule out that Malen will now get 9. Although it could also be that Brian Brobbey will get number 9 and Weghorst 19, for example. That will be nice to see when they are announced later, although it says not much about Koeman’s plans.”

Why does Frenkie de Jong always play with 21 and Denzel Dumfries always play with 22?

“That is something they feel good about. Frenkie de Jong made his debut against Peru in 2018 with 23 and then played four more times with number 7, but since 2019 he has always worn 21 in the Dutch team. That was his number at Ajax and then immediately at Barcelona, ​​a tribute to his grandfather Hans who was born on April 21.

Dumfries started with number 2 in the Dutch team and also wears that number at Inter, but just like Frenkie, he has had a permanent number with the Dutch team since March 2019. I don’t know why he prefers to play 22 rather than 2. I’ll have to ask him that again, but sometimes players just feel comfortable with something. For example, Daley Blind first played with 5 for years, but then switched to 17. Reijnders feels good with 14 and Van de Ven with 15, so Koeman will not change that either.”

Is there always competition for jersey numbers at final tournaments?

“There is always some discussion before such a European Championship or World Cup, but I don’t think it is something that makes it difficult for players among themselves. During the European Championship 2012, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was given number 9 after a good qualifying series, but in the end Robin van Persie was just in the starting line-up with number 16 on his back. Other than that I can’t really remember any discussions. The number 10 used to be a real status symbol, but that has also changed because that position has changed a bit. was extinct. Luciano Valente came on with 10 against Ecuador in March, when Depay was not there.

Are the shirt numbers of international players from previous European Championships and World Cups still in the back of your mind?

“No, that usually fades away quite quickly. Yes, Johan Cruijff with 14 at the 1974 World Cup and Marco van Basten with 12 at the 1988 European Championship, but everyone will know that. Sneijder with 10 and Robben with 11, you can immediately see that. At the World Cups of 1974 and 1978 it was still in alphabetical order. Except for Cruijff, who just had 14. Jan Jongbloed kept the World Cup with number 8, I don’t think FIFA will agree with that anymore. A nice quiz question: who had jersey number 1 for the Dutch team at the 1974 World Cup? He didn’t play a minute, so it’s a difficult one.”