Oranje’s Striker Crisis?

Well, here we go again. Just as things were starting to look settled up front, the Dutch national team suddenly finds itself without both Memphis Depay and Brian Brobbey. Two strikers out, just as crucial fixtures are coming up. It’s a big headache for Ronald Koeman — but maybe also a golden chance for someone new to step up and write their name into Oranje history. It’s time to plan for a post-Memphis time and it may be also time to put Brobbey on ice for a bit, until he starts playing again. Anywhere, really.

So who’s it going to be? Let’s run through the options.

The Safe Bet: Wout Weghorst

Say what you will about him — Wout Weghorst keeps proving people wrong. He’s not the silkiest, he’s not the fastest, but he knows how to score when it matters. He’s got experience, he’s a warrior, and he’ll fight for every ball. The downside? We all know the Oranje attack can get a bit one-dimensional with him up top. But in a crunch, Weghorst is never afraid to take responsibility. However, who will be the pinch hitting super sub if we start him?

The New Blood: Emanuel Emegha

Emanuel Emegha at Strasbourg is one of those players you look at and think: this guy could really explode if given the chance. Tall, quick, technical — he has the raw ingredients. Sure, he hasn’t worn the Big Oranje shirt yet, but sometimes you need to throw a fresh name into the fire. He’s a known entity in Zeist, of course and orange does suit him. Remember how Memphis got his break? This could be Emegha’s moment to surprise everyone. Although the former Sparta striker recently declared in the media he has put Oranje out of his head (for now?) it might well be time for Koeman to bring some more new blood in.

The Hungry Finishers: Joel Piroe & Thijs Dallinga

Joel Piroe was banging them in for Leeds in the Championship and is currently showing his worth in the EPL. Yes, it was “only” the Championship, but goals are goals, and Piroe has always had that killer instinct. The Championship is usually considered inferior by people who don’t know the competition that well, but players who experienced it will tell you it’s a tougher league than the Eredivisie. So if Brobbey is good enough for Oranje, why not Piroe? If we need someone to just be in the right place at the right time, he’s your man.

Then there’s Thijs Dallinga, who’s been thriving in Serie A with Bologna after impressing in France. He’s quick, clever, and has the work rate to match. He doesn’t play like a typical Dutch No. 9 — but maybe that’s exactly why he could fit. The former Excelsior fox in the box has had his Oranje debut already, so they have his suit size in Zeist.

The Bold Move: A False Nine with Xavi Simons

Here’s where it gets really interesting. Instead of going with a “like for like” striker, Koeman could shake things up with a false nine system. Imagine Xavi Simons starting centrally, dropping deep, pulling defenders out of position, and creating chaos. That would open up space for Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen to make those dangerous diagonal runs behind.

It’s risky — no doubt — but it could also make Oranje more unpredictable and flexible for the future. We’ve been too predictable at times; maybe this is the shake-up the attack needs.

Mexx Meerdink: A new Hero?

With Memphis Depay out, Dutch fans are dreaming of something new, something fresh. And the name on many lips is Mexx Meerdink. The AZ striker isn’t a household name yet, but he’s got that raw energy, that fearless striker’s instinct, that makes supporters believe he could be the surprise package Oranje needs.

Meerdink plays without fear. He’s hungry, always on the move, sniffing for chances, and the way he throws himself into every attack feels like a breath of fresh air. He might not have the experience yet, but sometimes passion and bravery can light up a team more than anything else. In his young career, he already scored some scorchers and according to some pundits, the goal of the season is already his.

And hasn’t this happened before? Patrick Kluivert was just 18 when he came off the bench at Euro ’96 and buried a winner against England. Marco van Basten wasn’t the obvious choice in ’88, but he exploded onto the scene and fired Oranje to glory. Dutch football has a history of unexpected heroes stepping up when the nation needed it most.

Imagine it now: a young Mexx Meerdink, unknown to most of Europe, suddenly pulling on the Oranje shirt and writing his name into our football folklore. Fans are ready to dream—why not give Mexx the chance to make it real?

The Wildcards

• Joshua Zirkzee (Man United): Skill, flair, creativity — more like a No. 10 than a pure striker, but he could turn a game on its head. The former Feyenoord talent hasn’t had much minutes under Amorim though, so he might be very rusty indeed.

• Myron Boadu (AS Monaco on loan at Bochum): Remember him? Still only 23, and if he rediscovers his old AZ form, he’s another wildcard to keep in mind. He had a decent season at Bochum with 9 goals out of 19 games, and is on the hitlist to join Valencia or Genoa.

• Donyell Malen (Aston Villa): Maybe not a central striker by trade, but he’s got the speed and finishing to play there in a pinch. He played there before in Oranje and done well in the jersey, but like many, he hasn’t featured much as yet so might not be fighting fit.

What Should Koeman Do?

If you want safety, you go Weghorst. If you want potential, you gamble on Emegha or Dallinga. If you want to experiment for the future, you try Simons as a false nine. Honestly, this might be one of the most fascinating striker dilemmas Oranje has had in years.

One thing’s for sure: someone new is going to get their chance. And whoever takes it could suddenly find themselves as a key piece of Oranje’s Euro 2028 plans.

⚽️ Who would you start? Stick with Weghorst’s grit, throw in a wildcard like Emegha, or go full bold with Simons as a false nine? I’m all for using Emegha, if you’d ask me. Which you didn’t. But still.