https://www.soccernews.nl/news/koeman-blijft-bij-blind-cillessen-klaar-in-oranje/ Analysis of the Orange Squad selection " Writing down Blind is old habit Still, Koeman wrote Daley Blind on his selection list of 26 names. Would it be an old hard-to-unlearn habit? Some suggest he was taken for the "locker room." That with his experience he can be invaluable for the 'feeling' at Orange. But the Dutch national team is not a playground, is it? Normally, the Dutch national team was always a composition of the best footballers in the Netherlands. Players with quality, who are in shape and have match rhythm. Do different rules apply to Blind?" 18061
One never have enough experiences with so many young players like Reijnders, Veerman, Wieffer, Geertruida, Malacia so the team needs Wijnaldum, De Roon, Weghorst, Memphis, Blind to balance it out. Maybe Wieffer get a chance to play, the rest are probably there to learn and watch unless injury happens. Blind may be a third option in LB behind Ake and Malacia or holding midfield behind Wieffer (attacking), De Roon (defending) but he will be 2nd option ahead of Veerman and Reijnders (they are there to make anti fans not to complain had Berghuis and Klaassen were picked instead). His experiences, leadership, tactical awareness in the dressing room is also valuable more than his speed and of course there will be a lot of discussion about why Blind is called up, take pressure away from the rest of the team. Weghorst may not score enough but he can hold the ball and link up well, and can play drop back role and good with header. Memphis may not be in shape but he is the top scorer. Bergwijn is there because there is not really better options with Danjuma is not playing much and others are not good enough. We can stop discussing about Frimpong. His time is not here yet regardless of being considered one of the top RB in Europe. He may turn out like Karsdorp (just not destined for this NT), switch allegiance to another country (Ziyech) or if he is unfazed by this then he may get a call up after a new coach replaces Koeman. He is still 23. Verbruggen is still young; he can get more playing time in U21. When NT loses the next PK, perhaps Verbruggen can be considered. For now Bijlow and Noppert can handle PK. It is not about who is in best form currently. It is about who can fit in the team and style that Koeman wants the team to play. Watch for Van Den Boomen to be called up soon. Take all the aboves with a grain of salt. Some positives and some negatives. There are always rooms for improvement. I just make peace with Koeman's selection and even with a loss vs Croatia if that happens. There is no criteria or any logical justification on what Koeman selects. He did what he thinks that these players give him the best chance to win. Can Ronald Koeman lead the Oranje Crush To Victory? For a game, yes (like defeating Gibraltar). For a title, I have to say no. Even though my expectation is lowered but I still cheer and would be happy if this team can win Nations League even though this title does not mean much (but I think it means more for players that are over 30 as they may not be around for the next Euro or World Cup).
I know this is just a contextual view and not your personal, but still its stupidity at its best and dumbfounding to even assume that the younger players who are better than him will look up to a player like him for motivation or even consider him being a central figure around.
So would Frimpong make England NT and start?? I dont think so. No way is he better than Kyle Walker. Might be wiser for him to pick Ghana
Did Koeman explain why he selected Blind or has any sport journalist asked Koeman about including Blind, a 33 year old defenseman who hardly played any minute for his club but gets called up to a National team? Even calling up Robben coming out of retirement is a better option since Robben still has fitness and speed and can really score. Is Daley Blind's football IQ really elite that you have to have him on the team?
Nations League Finals selections of Italy and Croatia: Selectie Italië Keepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli). Verdedigers: Federico Baschirotto (Lecce), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Leonardo Spinazzola (AS Roma), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta). Middenvelders: Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo), Jorginho (Arsenal), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Matteo Pessina (Monza), Marco Verratti (PSG), Nicolo Zaniolo (Galatasaray). Aanvallers: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Tigre), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio). Selectie Kroatië Keepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Nediljko Labrovic. Verderdigers: Domagoj Vida, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Martin Erlic. Middenvelders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanusec. Aanvallers: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Marko Livaja, Petar Musa, Dion Drena Beljo. (Stand-by: Josip Brekalo, Mislav Orsic, Duje Caleta-Car, Filip Uremovic, Ivo Grbic, Nikola Moro, Matija Frigan.) 18267
While I am a huge fan of Xavi Simons (ultimately) playing in the center and creating havoc as an AM, his recent performance as a pseudo-left-winger can't be ignored! 4 goals in 4 last matches. His two goals this past weekend (v. AZ) were truly magnificent displays of how fast, slippery and clinical he is playing in an open space and in a free role. Gakpo is a lock in CF, and Malen is a strong candidate for RW... not only due to his nice runs lately, but also by virtue of no other viable options here. I don't know what shape Memphis will be in after a prolonged injury (probably not great!) - so he seems to be out of contention for the time being. So the trio upfront should be: Simons - Gakpo - Malen Who will play the AM...? Wijnaldum is Koeman's trusted general, though he is lack of rhythm. Guessing that Lang (my personal choice), and even Bergwijn, are probably in the mix as well. Lang and Simons can/should interchange seamlessly. I like the double-pivot of Frenkie and Koopmeiners in the engine room, both are experienced and well-tested. Wieffer and Reijners are great options to bring energy from the bench. De Roon to lock the door when Oranje are leading. Lang De Jong - Koopmeiners
Koeman on Wieffers and Geertruida: https://www.feyenoordpings.nl/koeman-noemt-oranje-concurrenten-van-wieffer-samen-met-frenkie/ 18599
Nice comments on Wieffer… looks like he’s gaining trust from Koeman. Not so sure about De Roon. He should be phased out, I don’t mind him in the training squad for now to set the tone and be a leadership presence, but he should see the pitch as an extra steel to protect the lead. There are others now who can be more productive in midfield.
I hope Xavi gives Frenkie an off-day tomorrow. The title has already been wrapped up and he needs the rest
I watched some of the Barca match today and Frenkie was playing pretty deep almost as a defender. Wish he would get more into the attack, but he’s so good bringing the ball out from deep, playing between the lines, often times just running and changing directions. What a joy to watch.
Koeman's explanations: https://www.football-oranje.com/koeman-wijnaldum-and-blind-problem-childs-for-oranje/
Teun Koopmeiners… 3 goals and an assist in season finale Bringing his total to 10 goals and 4 assist for the whole season. He is making a very solid case to start alongside Frenkie de Jong in Oranje’s engine room.
I think this has been discussed previously. Koops thrives best when he is given the freedom to move and dictate play. In NT this is restricted because of frenkie’s stronghold. When koops starts at RCM, he drifts inside to the left, frenkie from the left drifts inside to the right. They are often attracting each other and from productive point of view it’s just lateral overlapping. Neither they change flanks so not to encroach each other’s space. with Wieffer he is right footed. He is able to drift outside on the right instead of drifting in and also move up rather than only subject to lateral passing which is often the case with frenkie and koopmeiners combo. This lateral passing has become a feature of Dutch football and often becomes boring and unproductive. Wieffer is better suited for that RCM position at best koopmeiners should be frenkie’s back up. Or vice versa.
It got Atalanta that last Europa spot too. Had they not won Juvenths would have been ahead of them https://www.flashscore.com/match/n1Up9yYB/#/standings/table/overall
Simons---------Gakpo---------Malen Depay injury may not be a bad thing because it gives Gakpo a chance to start fulltime
Given how little Memphis contributed, I would even say negatively impacted the Orange Squad game, his absence is not a negative thing as it makes a spot free for someone else to be included and enabled to show himself in training. 19052
Gakpo’s recent form and what he can bring to the game is perfect to phase out Memphis. I think he is ready and this is a great time for him. I’m happy with Simons and Malen on the wings.
This would be my lineup: Simons-------------Gakpo---------------Malen Koop----------------Frenkie-------------Wieffer Malacia------deLigt------vDijk-------Dumfries -----------------Bijlow or Noppert---------------
I actually would prefer a 3 men back line: ------Simons-------Gakpo-------Malen------------ Koop------Frenkie---------Wieffer-------Dumfries ------Aké----------deLigt------vDijk--------------- -----------------Bijlow or Noppert--------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- 19066
Sign me up for this. I haven’t see any news on Ake’s recovery, he’s probably too rusty, but if he’s up to the challenge, he should be ahead of Malacia on LB.
Blind and Reijnders are out of the squad for Croatia, but will remain on standby list https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/8668...rs-buiten-oranje-selectie-voor-nations-league