Even though Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona is currently recovering from an ankle injury, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has included him in his final 26-man roster for Euro 2024.
Koeman, however, has opted not to include left-back Ian Maatsen, despite his pivotal role in Borussia Dortmund’s journey to the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Maatsen, yet to feature for his country’s senior team, has been overlooked.
Instead, the coach has placed his faith in Nathan Ake, recently crowned Premier League champion with Manchester City, and the experienced Daley Blind at left-back.
De Jong sustained an injury during Barcelona’s Clasico clash with Real Madrid on April 21, marking his third ankle issue this season. Nevertheless, he is anticipated to resume training on Saturday, just shy of two weeks before the Euros commence. Concerns also linger over the fitness of Atletico Madrid forward Memphis Depay.
The Netherlands, champions of Europe in 1988, find themselves in Group D alongside France, Austria, and Poland. They are scheduled to face Canada on June 6 and Iceland four days later in preparatory matches.
Here is the Netherlands’ squad for Euro 2024:
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford/ENG), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton/ENG)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City/ENG), Daley Blind (Girona/ESP), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan/ITA), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan/ITA), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich/GER), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/ENG)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona/ESP), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool/ENG), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta/ITA), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan/ITA), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig/GER), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq/KSA)
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool/ENG), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim/GER)
