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The Netherlands won’t be among the favourites to win Euro 2024, but they should be considered dark horses under Ronald Koeman, who guided them to second in their qualifying group behind France. Koeman inherited a talented squad from Louis van Gaal after their impressive run to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, and will be confident of making an even bigger splash in Germany this summer.
The Oranje have certainly come a long way since their shock last-16 defeat to the Czech Republic at the last European Championship, with a perfect mix of youth and experience holding them in good stead as they bid to win the tournament for the time since 1988.
Another showdown with France awaits in Group D, with the Netherlands also facing a tough examination against Austria, but Koeman’s team should fear no one given the quality they possess across the pitch.
The question is: who will make the final Netherlands squad for the tournament? GOAL takes a look…
GOALKEEPERS
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is currently holding the Netherlands’ No.1 jersey, but his position is by no means safe. Verbruggen only got his chance with Koeman last year when Mark Flekken got injured, and the Brentford shot-stopper will fancy his chances of winning his spot back if he can enjoy a strong finish to the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Sparta Rotterdam’s Nick Olij will hope to be on the plane after receiving his maiden international call-up in October, and veteran keeper Marco Bizot, currently on the books of Brest in Ligue 1, is also a reliable option for Koeman to consider. Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow could also be in contention if he makes a full recovery from a calf injury.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Justin Bijlow | Feyenoord |
| Marco Bizot | Brest |
| Mark Flekken | Brentford |
| Nick Olij | Sparta Rotterdam |
| Bart Verbruggen | Brighton |
DEFENDERS
Led by Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands are blessed with plenty of quality at the back, and Nathan Ake will likely slot in alongside the Liverpool superstar after another impressive season at Manchester City.
Inter’s Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind, who is enjoying a late career swansong at La Liga upstarts Girona, also played a key role in the Oranje’s Euros qualifying campaign and will have important parts to play in Germany.
Competition for starting roles will be fierce, though, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Tottenham summer signing Micky van de Ven also staking strong claims with their form at club level.
Jurrien Timber could also force himself back into contention if he can prove his fitness with Arsenal during the final weeks of the campaign, as the ex-Ajax defender is closing in on a return from the ACL injury that his ruined his debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Nathan Ake | Manchester City |
| Daley Blind | Girona |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Bayern Munich |
| Stefan de Vrij | Inter |
| Denzel Dumfries | Inter |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Lutsharel Geertruida | Feyenoord |
| Jorrel Hato | Ajax |
| Ian Maatsen | Borussia Dortmund |
| Jurrien Timber | Arsenal |
| Micky van de Ven | Tottenham |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool |
MIDFIELDERS
Frenkie de Jong will dictate the pace in midfield for the Netherlands, and Jerdy Schouten is set to be the Barcelona playmaker’s right-hand man, having been one of PSV’s standout performers during their run to the top of the Eredivisie and Champions League knockout stages.
Atalanta duo Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners can also slot into holding midfield roles, while uncapped Quinten Timber has shown his versatility at Feyenoord and will be hoping for a place at the Euros after being named in Koeman’s squad for March friendly games against Scotland and Germany.
Interestingly, Georginio Wijnaldum also made the cut, despite the fact he now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, and the former Liverpool midfielder’s experience could be very useful if the Oranje make it to the latter stages of the tournament.
Steven Berghuis and Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, must prove their fitness before they will be considered by Koeman following recent injury lay-offs.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Steven Berghuis | Ajax |
| Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona |
| Marten de Roon | Atalanta |
| Ryan Gravenberch | Liverpool |
| Teun Koopmeiners | Atalanta |
| Tijjani Reijnders | AC Milan |
| Jerdy Schouten | PSV |
| Quinten Timber | Feyenoord |
| Joey Veerman | PSV |
| Mats Wieffer | Feyenoord |
| Georginio Wijnaldum | Al-Ettifaq |
FORWARDS
Koeman is known for his pragmatic style of play, and tends to favour one upfront, with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst set to fill that position despite a somewhat underwhelming season at Hoffenheim.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo will likely sit just behind Weghorst alongside Paris Saint-Germain starlet Xavi Simons, who has enjoyed a superb individual campaign on loan at RB Leipzig.
Memphis Depay is also still in the frame despite a mixed year with Atletico Madrid, and former Bayern Munich forward Joshua Zirkzee could give the Netherlands a different dimension after unlocking his potential at Bologna.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Steven Bergwijn | Ajax |
| Brian Brobbey | Ajax |
| Memphis Depay | Atletico Madrid |
| Cody Gakpo | Liverpool |
| Noa Lang | PSV |
| Donyell Malen | Borussia Dortmund |
| Xavi Simons | RB Leipzig |
| Calvin Stengs | Feyenoord |
| Wout Weghorst | Hoffenheim |
| Joshua Zirkzee | Bologna |
EXPECTED XI
There is a good chance Koeman will stick with three at the back, and Stefan de Vrij is likely to get the nod ahead of Van de Ven and Matthijs de Ligt purely based on experience, with Van Dijk and Ake almost certain starters.
Flying Inter wing-back Dumfries was a standout performer at the 2022 World Cup, and his runs in behind will be crucial again, while De Jong will hold everything together in the middle as Koeman looks to Simons and Gakpo for the cutting edge in the final third.
Weghorst should continue as the Netherlands’ target man, with his height and physicality allowing the Oranje to play more direct football and make the most of their considerable depth from wide positions.
Netherlands XI (3-4-2-1): Verbruggen; De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, Schouten, De Jong, Blind; Simons, Gakpo; Weghorst.
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Only two Dutch players have been ruled out of contention completely for the the Euros, starting with Sven Botman, who suffered an ACL injury while playing for Newcastle in March. The Netherlands’ centre-back depth meant that he may not have made the squad regardless, but his absence is now confirmed as he plots his comeback in 2025.
Feyenoord’s Quilindschy Hartman will also be absent in Germany, after suffering a serious knee injury during the club’s 4-2 Eredivisie win over Utrecht on March 31. The 22-year-old left-back has been ruled out of the remainder of the season and will not be available for the Euros, which comes as a major blow amid reports he has been attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs.
| Name | Club | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Sven Botman | Newcastle | Injury |
| Quilindschy Hartman | Feyenoord | Injury |
