Georginio Wijnaldum has been passed by national coach Louis van Gaal in the pre-selection of the Dutch national team for the next four Nations League matches in June. Vincent Janssen and Rick Karsdorp do belong to the thirty-member group.
The 31-year-old Wijnaldum was reserve captain of Orange. However, his lack of playing time at Paris Saint-Germain now costs him his place in the (pre)selection of Van Gaal. That is bad news for the 86-time international with a view to the World Cup at the end of this year in Qatar.
“Unfortunately, little has changed in Gini’s situation at his club since our last two international matches in March. I am therefore forced to make other choices, however difficult and regrettable I personally find it,” said the national coach.
The return of both Janssen and Karsdorp is striking. The 27-year-old Janssen played his last of seventeen international matches in October 2017. This season, he scored twice in 28 appearances for his Mexican club CF Monterrey.
The equally old Karsdorp last played for Orange in March 2017. The three-time international, who is a basic player at AS Roma, said in March that he had put the Dutch national team out of his mind because of the lack of a call.
Pre-selection Orange (30 players)
- Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Mark Flek (SC Freiburg), Tim Krul (Norwich City)
- Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Hans Hateboer (Atalanta), Rick Karsdorp (AS Roma), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Tyrell Malacia (Feyenoord), Jordan Teze (PSV), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Owen Wijndal (AZ)
- Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (AZ), Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (Feyenoord)
- Attackers: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur), Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal), Vincent Janssen (CF Monterrey), Luuk de Jong (FC Barcelona), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Burnley)
The Netherlands-Sweden was Vincent Janssen’s last international match at the end of 2017, who was then rented out to Fenerbahçe by Tottenham Hotspur.
The Netherlands-Sweden was Vincent Janssen’s last international match at the end of 2017, who was then rented out to Fenerbahçe by Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: Pro Shots
Orange meets Belgium, Wales and Poland
The Dutch national team starts the new Nations League season on Friday 3 June with an away game against Belgium. A game away against Wales will follow on Wednesday 8 June. Subsequently, in De Kuip, Poland (Saturday 11 June) and Wales (Wednesday 14 June) will be played.
Four rounds will be completed in connection with the World Cup later this year in Qatar. The last two Nations League matches are on September 22 (away against Poland) and September 25 (in the Johan Cruijff ArenA against Belgium).
After that, the Orange will enter the final phase of the World Cup preparation. In Qatar, the tournament for the Netherlands starts on November 21 with a meeting with Senegal. Ecuador and host country Qatar are the other two group members.
Van Gaal will be assisted for the first time during the upcoming international matches by Edgar Davids, who is the successor to the departed Henk Fraser as assistant national coach.
Rick Karsdorp in March 2017 during Bulgaria-Netherlands, the last time he played for Orange.
Rick Karsdorp in March 2017 during Bulgaria-Netherlands, the last time he played for Orange. Photo: Pro Shots