Netherlands drop Depay for Germany match in Xavi’s first squad

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Dutch record goalscorer Memphis Depay was left out of new coach Xavi Hernandez’s first selection Friday, but captain Virgil van Dijk is in the squad to take on Germany.

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The 32-year-old striker, now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, has been the subject of speculation for months after featuring only on the fringe at the Oranje’s disappointing World Cup.

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Depay has scored 55 goals in a Dutch shirt but has not found the back of the net since November 2025 in a World Cup qualifier against Poland.

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The former Barcelona and Manchester United forward has battled injuries and a loss of form in recent months and even took a pay cut to extend his contract in Brazil.

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Veteran striker Wout Weghorst also misses out, as does Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, who is injured.

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Van Dijk had also refused to commit to international football after his Dutch team were dumped out of the World Cup last 32 by Morocco on penalties.

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But the Liverpool defender has been named in the side that will take on Jurgen Klopp’s Germany in a UEFA Nations League match in Amsterdam on Thursday.

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For his first match in charge of the Oranje, Xavi has handed a squad debut to Ruben van Bommel, son of Dutch legend Mark.

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Half of the 26 players named in the Dutch squad are plying their trade in the Premier League.

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Only three come from the Dutch Eredivisie, two from PSV Eindhoven and one from Feyenoord.

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Joey Veerman, playing for Borussia Dortmund, returns to the Dutch squad after a more-than-two-year absence.

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Xavi has promised to bring back the attacking footballing philosophy the Oranje are famous for, believing this will bring the team out of the doldrums in terms of results.

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In replacing Ronald Koeman on a four-year deal, Xavi became the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years.

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AFP

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