Xavi Names First Netherlands Squad: No Memphis, Van Dijk Stays and Two New Faces
Xavi Hernández has named his first Netherlands squad — and the new Oranje coach has immediately made some significant decisions.
Memphis Depay has been left out, while captain Virgil van Dijk will continue his international career. Joey Veerman is back in the Netherlands squad after a two-year absence, and PSV winger Ruben van Bommel and Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiël have received their first senior call-ups.
Xavi has selected a 26-man squad for four upcoming Nations League matches against Germany, Serbia and Greece.
No Memphis Depay in Xavi’s first squad
The biggest omission is undoubtedly Memphis Depay.
The Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer has been one of the most important Oranje attackers of the past decade, but Xavi has decided to start without him.
It is a major decision from the new coach.
For years, Memphis was almost an automatic selection whenever he was fit. But competition in attack has increased, with Brian Brobbey and Donyell Malen among the alternatives available to Xavi.
Memphis has also endured a difficult start to the new season at Corinthians.
His absence does not necessarily mean his international career is over, but it sends a clear early message: past performances and reputation alone will not guarantee a place in Xavi’s Netherlands squad.
Virgil van Dijk decides to continue with Oranje
There is better news for Virgil van Dijk.
The 35-year-old Liverpool defender had been considering his international future following the Netherlands’ disappointing World Cup campaign.
Xavi subsequently held talks with his captain.
The outcome is now clear: Van Dijk will continue with Oranje and has been included in Xavi’s first squad.
Keeping Van Dijk gives the new coach an experienced leader while he begins introducing younger players into the national team.
It also means Xavi is opting for evolution rather than completely rebuilding Oranje from scratch.
Joey Veerman gets another chance
One of the most interesting selections is Joey Veerman.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder returns to the Netherlands squad for the first time since Euro 2024.
Veerman had fallen out of favour under Ronald Koeman despite regularly impressing at club level.
The arrival of Xavi effectively gives him a fresh start.
Veerman’s technical qualities could make him particularly interesting for the former Barcelona coach. His passing range, ability to control the tempo and willingness to receive the ball in midfield appear well suited to a possession-oriented style.
Now he finally has another opportunity to show what he can do in an Oranje shirt.
Ruben van Bommel receives first Oranje call-up
As widely expected, Ruben van Bommel is one of the new faces.
The PSV winger has made an impressive return after the serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of last season.
His performances at the start of the new campaign have now earned him his first call-up to the senior Netherlands team.
Van Bommel offers Xavi something different in attack: pace, direct running and the ability to take on defenders from wide positions.
For the 22-year-old, it represents another major step forward after an excellent start to the season with PSV.
Gjivai Zechiël is the surprise newcomer
Perhaps the biggest surprise is Gjivai Zechiël.
The Feyenoord midfielder has been rewarded for his excellent start to the season with his first senior Netherlands call-up.
Zechiël has emerged rapidly and now gets an opportunity to impress Xavi at close range.
His selection is also evidence that the new coach is prepared to look beyond the established Oranje hierarchy.
Xavi and his staff have been monitoring a large pool of Dutch players since his appointment, and Zechiël is one of the first beneficiaries of that approach.
Frenkie de Jong misses out through injury
Frenkie de Jong is another major name missing from the squad, although his situation is completely different from Memphis’.
The Barcelona midfielder is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered during the World Cup.
When fit, De Jong is expected to play an important role under Xavi.
The two know each other extremely well from their time together at Barcelona, and De Jong’s technical qualities appear an obvious fit for the style of football Xavi is expected to introduce with the Netherlands.
For now, however, Oranje will have to begin the new era without him.
Wout Weghorst also left out
Memphis is not the only experienced striker missing.
Wout Weghorst has also not been selected.
The 34-year-old was frequently used by Ronald Koeman and became particularly valuable as a substitute when Oranje needed a different type of centre-forward.
Xavi has instead selected Brian Brobbey and Donyell Malen among his attacking options.
It is another indication that the new coach is prepared to make his own decisions rather than simply continuing with Koeman’s established squad.
Xavi’s first Netherlands squad in full
Goalkeepers
- Bart Verbruggen – Brighton & Hove Albion
- Robin Roefs – Sunderland
- Mark Flekken – Bayer Leverkusen
Defenders
- Nathan Aké – Fenerbahçe
- Denzel Dumfries – Real Madrid
- Jeremie Frimpong – Liverpool
- Lutsharel Geertruida – PSV
- Jorrel Hato – Chelsea
- Jurriën Timber – Arsenal
- Jan Paul van Hecke – Tottenham Hotspur
- Micky van de Ven – Tottenham Hotspur
- Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Midfielders
- Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool
- Justin Kluivert – Bournemouth
- Teun Koopmeiners – Juventus
- Tijjani Reijnders – Al-Qadsiah
- Kenneth Taylor – Lazio
- Quinten Timber – Crystal Palace
- Joey Veerman – Borussia Dortmund
- Gjivai Zechiël – Feyenoord
Forwards
- Ruben van Bommel – PSV
- Brian Brobbey – Sunderland
- Cody Gakpo – Liverpool
- Noa Lang – Napoli
- Donyell Malen – AS Roma
- Crysencio Summerville – Al-Hilal
Several Talents Still Waiting
Xavi’s first squad also leaves several promising players waiting for their opportunity. Kees Smit, Givairo Read, Wouter Goes and Luciano Valente are among the notable absentees, while attackers Zian Flemming and Mexx Meerdink also miss out.
Young talents Sean Steur and Ro-Zangelo Daal remain outside the squad as well. With Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël earning call-ups, however, Xavi has already shown that the door is open for the next generation.
Four matches to start the Xavi era
Xavi will not have much time to ease himself into international management.
The Netherlands face four Nations League matches during the upcoming international period.
Oranje begin against Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 24. Three days later they travel to Serbia.
The Netherlands then face Greece away on October 1 before completing the international window with another match against Serbia, this time at home, on October 4.
That gives Xavi four games in quick succession to assess his players and begin implementing his ideas.
First signs of a new Oranje
Xavi has not completely dismantled the team he inherited from Ronald Koeman.
Van Dijk remains captain, while established players such as Cody Gakpo, Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Aké, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders are still involved.
But there are already clear signs of change.
Leaving Memphis and Weghorst at home is significant. Bringing Veerman back after two years is equally interesting. And giving Van Bommel and Zechiël their first opportunities shows that younger players will be given a genuine chance.
Xavi’s first selection therefore looks less like a revolution and more like the beginning of a carefully managed transition.
The biggest question now is what happens on the pitch.
Share your thoughts please, too much of the same old ?
I would say Xavi is measured with his selections. Honestly, the crop of players who got selected for the WC aren’t exactly bad (bar Depay, Weghorst etc.), the team lost bc of tactical mistake, not bc of lack of talent.
Hence, it is very logical for Xavi to not tear up the entire team, but rather introduce and bed in few new faces to freshen the team selection and putting priority to train the team on his style of play, which I feel is very important in this international window. The likes of Ruben Van Bommel, Zechiel and Veerman are encouraging and they earned their call-up by their merits.
The rest of the many new faces which we spoke about continue to stay in the frame of U21 and surely be watched out by the coaching staffs.
Next is to see how the team plays in the 4 matches of the NL, and how much of Xavi’s vision in it.
Four matches in 10 days is a good way to start for him…We should see pretty much everyone on the roster. And by the end, Xavi will have a pretty good idea of how he wants to play, whether the personnel can match his vision, whether he’ll need to adapt, and who suits what he eventually lands on.
@ Jan
Xavi is holding a press conference on Monday. Any way someone can hit him with this question? I’m sure you have some connections within the press. Lol
You have two major tournaments ahead of you, Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. Is your priority to get immediate results with the established core, or are you prepared to accept some short-term growing pains in order to build a new generation capable of competing for those tournaments? And if rebuilding is part of the plan, when should we expect to see that reflected in the starting XI rather than only in the squad?”
It is good selection. Like Jan said, the new faces (Van Bommel, Zechiël) and recalled faces (Veerman, Taylor) are merit based. So this gives players in Dutch league and other leagues reasons to perform well for a call up. Also agree with the point that the next important step will be how Xavi will play to his tactic. Some people are calling for Kees Smit, Valente and Read. But in my opinion, my new faces are not success criteria. What will define success if he can integrate players into his system and revive the other players.