Netherlands: Xavi’s choices heavily criticised

For his first matches in charge of the Netherlands, Xavi is highly anticipated. This is especially the case after the Oranje’s elimination in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup this summer. But already, the Spanish coach’s choices are being debated.

During this international window, the Netherlands will play four matches to begin a new cycle and present Xavi’s playing project in the best possible light. It must be said that, of the 26 players called up for the 2026 World Cup, only Marten de Roon, Mats Wieffer, Frenkie de Jong, Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert, Wout Weghorst and Memphis Depay have not been selected for this international break — seven absentees in total.

Among Xavi’s major decisions is the return of Joey Veerman, the new Borussia Dortmund midfielder who did not really appeal to Ronald Koeman. Three newcomers will also make their debuts: Gjivai Zechiël, Ruben van Bommel and Mexx Meerdink. These choices have divided opinion in the Netherlands. “If he does not reshape the squad, the question is: will the level of play and the results change? Xavi may be planning changes to his starting eleven. At the very least, he has said he wants to play attractive football. So we all hope for a spectacle similar to that of Barça or Spain,” journalist Johan Inan of the daily Algemeen Dagblad told As.

Former Dutch player Johan Derksen also criticised the absence of Luciano Valente in favour of Joey Veerman on Vandaag Inside: “Xavi, who was in the stands at Feyenoord, probably realised himself that he had made a big mistake by not selecting Feyenoord’s captain. I think he is an excellent player. I think he has much more influence on a team than Joey Veerman.” Bram van Polen, a PEC Zwolle legend, is also disappointed to see Xavi take a limited squad when he could have named two lists, like Jürgen Klopp did with Germany, as he told ESPN: “You can then observe their interactions within a group. You see them in person, you see them off the pitch. It was the ideal time to select a large number of players in a short period. I think Klopp’s strategy with Germany is very smart. He is starting out as a new national team coach and is showing himself to be very open to this possibility. He now has a very large group of potential players at his disposal. But the Netherlands are still playing it safe, in my opinion.”

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However, not everything is bleak around Xavi. Public opinion remains favourable, and there is a great deal of excitement at the prospect of a new cycle beginning. Some observers are particularly impressed, such as Rafael van der Vaart: “Xavi loves football, and that is why Veerman has been selected again. I even think he could start. He is a player who fits perfectly into the team, and that is something this Dutch national team sorely lacks.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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Netherlands

UEFA Nations League A