Oranje boss Danny Blind has named his provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria and friendly with Italy.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Netherlands face Bulgaria in a must-win World Cup qualifier on the 25th of March before welcoming Italy to the Amsterdam Arena for a friendly match a few days later.
Blind has been rocked by the injuries suffered to first choice centre back pairing Jeffrey Bruma and Virgil van Dijk while Wesley Sneijder has not been included due to fitness. The coach has stated he will observe the midfielder over next ten days before deciding whether to call him in. There is also no place for Eljero Elia, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Robin van Persie or Patrick van Aanholt.
Making his debut in the selection is Lazio centre-back Wesley Hoedt, while in-form midfielder Jens Toornstra deservedly gets a call-up.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona) Michel Vorm (Tottenham), Jeroen Zoet (PSV), Tim Krul (AZ)
Defenders: Rick Karsdorp (Feyenoord), Wesley Hoedt (Lazio), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio), Bruno Martins-Indi (Stoke City), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Joel Veltman (Ajax)
Midfielders: Davy Propper (PSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Kevin Strootman (Roma), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Bart Ramselaar (PSV), Leroy Fer (Swansea City), Marten de Roon (Middlesbrough), Jens Toornstra (Feyenoord), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord)
Attackers: Vincent Janssen (Tottenham), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Jeremain Lens (Fenerbahce), Quincy Promes (Spartak), Bas Dost (Sporting), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (Lyon)
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
No PVA no Willems? I guess the battle at leftback is between BMI and Blind or did daddy take out the competition?
No Erik Pieters!!!
I don’t know why he always gets overlooked! He’s underrated! Sure he’s not spectacular at either end and he’s not flashy, but he is a solid all around player.
PVA is overrated, especially if you want to be defensively sound. He’s not someone i’d trust in a back 4 formation in away match, not by a long shot.
I agree with Chuck….how on earth Blind can continue to overlook Erik Pieters is mind-boggling. The guy has barely missed a match in 3 years and plays for an EPL team always hanging around the top 10, not one always fighting to avoid relegation.
Van Ginkel instead of propper
nathan ake and PVA ?? i dont know how blind select the players !
Isn’t Van Ginkel hurt right now?
i think it is not serious
Nathan ake should be no where near the national team but I do agree that PVA and or Willems should have been included. Other than at left back I respect this squad! I’m a big fan of Daley Blind but he dosnt even start for Man U
To say nowhere near the national team, I don’t think that’s the case, but I think he will have a breakthrough this season or even early next season, he needs more playing time. Like van Ginkel, Chelsea has almost ruined this guys career.
Ake is a year maybe 2 off the mark, but maybe we see a back three? Given Indi and Blind play the left side Karsdorp and Veltman on the right. But no van Dijk, no Bruma, doesn’t give much in case of injury. With the exception of Karsdorp, the rest are or have been CB’s.
It looks like Blind will try 3-5-2