Manchester United sensation Timothy Fosu-Mensah has been included in Netherlands provisional squad for their friendlies later this month.
- By Spencer Steevensz
The Dutch are facing off against the Republic of Ireland (27th May), Poland (1st June) and Austria (4th of June) in three friendly matches ahead of this summer’s European Championships, which Netherlands will miss.
The least surprising new inclusion is Manchester United ace Timothy Fosu-Mensah, the 18-year-old Dutch defender that has taken advantage of his chances with the first team at the Premier League giants, and is quickly working his way into a team regular.
Fosu-Mensah, who has represented the Netherlands at youth levels, was born to Ghanaian parents, and both teams are working hard to get the young prospects allegiance. Danny Blind will likely select and play Fosu-Mensah to ensure his bright future will lie with Holland.
Other new names on the selection are FC Utrecht’s Bart Ramselaar, a 19-year old midfielder, and Feyenoord’s Tonny Vilhena, who receives his first call to the senior team.
With World Cup qualifiers starting in the fall, Danny Blind will be using these games to test new players, which will give a summer of rest to veterans like Arjen Robben, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie, none of whom were called up. Davy Klaassen is another notable name not on the list.
The Full provisional selection is:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord), Jeroen Zoet (PSV)
Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt ( Sunderland), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffery Bruma (PSV), Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United), Rick Karsdorp (Feyenoord), Timo Letschert (FC Utrecht), Erik Pieters (Stoke City), Karim Rekik (Olympique Marseille), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (AZ), Jetro Willems (PSV)
Midfielders: Vurnon Anita (Newcastle), Riechedly Bazoer (Ajax), Jordy Clasie (Southampton), Marco Van Ginkel (PSV), Davy Propper (PSV), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Gini Wijnaldum (Newcastle)
Attackers: Memphis Depay (Manchester United), Bas Dost (Wolfsburg), Vincent Janssen (AZ), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Jurgen Locadia (PSV), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow)
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I'm a digital/social marketer out of Chicago. I grew up loving Dutch football - total football is the only way to play. I support PSV in the Eredivisie, and whatever team has the most Dutch guys on it in any other league. Hup Holland Hup!
Vilhena had been called before as far as I remember; back in 2013
Hoped to see de roon in this squad, i’m still wondering if danny blind is the right man to take Holland into wc 2018,what i know for sure is that he has been a failure until now.strootman should have been called too although he is not 100 % fit,but to incourage him because he is the best dutch player for the moment.