Ronald Koeman has said we shouldn’t take anything from the new Netherlands squad numbers as he didn’t pick them.
Journalists have been trying to work out what the numbers could mean, but Koeman was quick to shut them down in one of his final press conferences before heading to the Americas.
“I gave Virgil [van Dijk] a list and said: just sort it out amongst yourselves,” he explained.
“If I didn’t get anything back, I would make the choices myself. But in the end, I received a properly completed list back. The players sorted it out together.”
Netherlands World Cup squad numbers
- Bart Verbruggen
- Jurriën Timber
- Marten de Roon
- Virgil van Dijk
- Nathan Aké
- Jan Paul van Hecke
- Justin Kluivert
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Wout Weghorst
- Memphis Depay
- Cody Gakpo
- Mats Wieffer
- Robin Roefs
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Micky van de Ven
- Guus Til
- Noa Lang
- Donyell Malen
- Brian Brobbey
- Teun Koopmeiners
- Frenkie de Jong
- Denzel Dumfries
- Mark Flokken
- Crysencio Summerville
- Jorrel Hato
- Quinten Timber
The No.10 shirt used to have holy status with the Netherlands, but Memphis Depay’s selection isn’t meant to be read into, says Koeman.
The Corinthians forward has been injured, but Koeman still expects his top scorer to contribute.
“The data is positive, but we must not forget that he has been out for a while,” he said. “He is not yet 100 percent fit.”
Koeman also explained that he stopped Quinten Timber leaving the camp to watch twin brother Jurrien play in the Champions League final.
“He did indeed ask that, but I said ‘no’. He understood that, too,” the coach commented.
Koeman was then asked what expectations are for the country, and gave a thoughtful but agitated answer.
“Whatever I say, it is never good enough,” he responded.
“If I say that we will become world champions, people say: what is that based on?
“If I say that we are outsiders, I get accused of having little confidence.
“There are other countries with a lot of quality, and you have to be realistic about that. But I have a lot of confidence in this team.
“I have a better feeling now than before the previous tournament, the European Championship in Germany. Back then we reached the semi-finals, but according to many people, it didn’t amount to much…”
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