New Oranje coach Xavi Hernández with a jersey.- Credit: Ons Oranje press release / Ons Oranje press release - License: All Rights Reserved

Van Dijk, Veerman in Xavi's first Oranje squad; Depay, Weghorst out

The new Dutch national team coach, Xavi Hernández, has named the new Oranje squad, leaving the all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay out, while keeping the captain, Virgil van Dijk, in.

Apart from Depay, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, and Mats Wieffer, along with Wout Weghorst, are not in Xavi’s first squad. Xavi has recalled Joey Veerman, who was not requested by the previous coach Ronald Koeman. Koeman left after the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Xavi was then officially appointed by the KNVB on August 12.

Jeremie Frimpong, Kenneth Taylor, and Jurriën Timber, who missed the World Cup because of an injury, will also return. Franke de Jong is still unavailable due to injury.

The squad will participate in the upcoming UEFA Nations League match. The team will play Germany in the Netherlands on September 24 and Serbia away on September 27. A home match with Serbia for October 4 is planned, as well as a match in Greece on October 1.

“Given the four-match program in this international window, a 26-player squad gives us enough options and flexibility,” Xavi said in a KNVB statement.

The coach provided no explanation as to why he selected certain players over others.

The full Oranje squad includes:

  • Ruben van Bommel from PSV
  • Lutsharel Geertruida from PSV
  • Brian Brobbey from Sunderland
  • Nathan Aké from Fenerbahçe
  • Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool
  • Jurriën Timber from Arsenal
  • Danzel Dumfries from Real Madrid
  • Mark Flekken from Bayer Leverkusen
  • Jeremie Frimpong from Liverpool
  • Cody Gakpo from Liverpool
  • Lutsharel Geertruida from PSV
  • Ryan Gravenberch from Liverpool
  • Jorrel Hato from Chelsea
  • Jan Paul van Hecke from Tottenham Hotspur
  • Justin Kluivert from Bournemouth
  • Teun Koopmeiners from Juventus
  • Noa Lang from Napoli
  • Donyell Malen from AS Roma
  • Tijjani Reijnders from Al-Qadsiah
  • Robin Roefs from Sunderland
  • Crysencio Summerville from Al-Hilal
  • Kenneth Taylor from Lazio
  • Quinten Timber from Crystal Palace
  • Joey Veerman from Borussia Dortmund
  • Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur
  • Bart Verbruggen from Brighton & Hove Albion
  • Gjivai Zechiël from Feyenoord