New Oranje coach Xavi Hernández with a jersey.
New Oranje coach Xavi Hernández with a jersey. - Credit: Ons Oranje press release / Ons Oranje press release - License: All Rights Reserved
During the press conference on Monday, new national team coach Xavi Hernández commented on the recent national team squad selection. According to Xavi, the most difficult choice regarding the squad formation was not calling up Memphis Depay. He also confirmed that, despite rumors of departure, Virgil van Dijk will remain the captain.
“I have a good relationship with Memphis. His response was outstanding and very mature. He understood everything,” Xavi told the press. "The door is open to all the players, so it remains open for Memphis as well.” Why he did not select the player is unclear. “That is something between us, and I prefer to keep it confidential.”
After two players, Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen withdrew following injuries, the head Xavi added Guus Til and Mexx Meerdink to the squad.
He said that he is disappointed that Malen will not play, following an injury. “It is a pity because Donyell is in excellent form. He dropped out at the last moment, but that is football. I believe Donyell is all right; I do not know how long he will need to recover, but the injury is not too serious.”
Kluivert is also out due to a muscle injury that he sustained on Thursday during Bournemouth’s Europa League match against Real Sociedad.
In recent weeks, Xavi also traveled to Liverpool to speak with the captain, Virgil van Dijk, who is rumored to be considering leaving the team. "That is not true," Xavi told the press. “Virgil will remain captain. I went to see him, and it was a very good meeting. He is a true leader, very positive and motivated.”
“I had Luuk de Jong at Barcelona, who scored many goals for us,” Xavi recalled. “But the current squad is, in our view, the best group of 26 players.”
“We will put together a Plan B and Plan C, everything we need, but we believe we now have the ideal selection for that - all the players we need,” Xavi said.
Xavi spoke at length about the values he wants to instill in the team. When asked by reporters what he means by that, he said, "a positive attitude. We want players to enjoy training. We will be together for weeks, so respect toward one another, the press, and opponents is also important.”
Xavi said he is highly positive about selecting the Dortmund midfielder Joey Veerman, who was overlooked for the national team under Ronald Koeman and was not at the World Cup. "Veerman plays well. Technically he is top-class. He can help us in build-up play and in the way we want to play. I like what I see, and he can help the team.” This is the first time in the Oranje squad for Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël.