Xavi’s Oranje Era Begins: Veerman Returns, Malen Out and Germany Awaits
The talking is almost over. On Thursday, we finally get our first proper look at Xavi Hernández’s Netherlands.
The new Oranje boss faced the media ahead of his first international window and, while we shouldn’t expect a complete revolution overnight, there were already some interesting clues about where he wants to take this team.
Perhaps the most encouraging message? The door to Oranje is open.
Nobody Is Written Off
Xavi made it clear today that players who were not included in his first squad should not assume their international careers are over. Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst are among the big names missing this time, but good performances can put players straight back into the conversation. Wout Weghorst was on fire against PSV, not sure if Xavi likes these kind of players, warriors….
It feels like the right approach at the beginning of a new era. Rather than immediately establishing a fixed group of favourites, Xavi appears willing to judge players on what they are doing now.
He has also clearly been paying attention to Dutch football.
After watching Eredivisie matches including Feyenoord–FC Utrecht and Ajax–PSV, Xavi spoke enthusiastically about the standard of football in the Netherlands. He was particularly impressed by Ajax against PSV, describing the level as comparable to the Champions League.
For Eredivisie players hoping to break into Oranje, that’s an important message: you don’t necessarily have to leave the Netherlands to get Xavi’s attention.
Joey Veerman Gets Another Chance
One of the most intriguing names in Xavi’s squad is Joey Veerman.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder had slipped down the Oranje pecking order under Ronald Koeman and missed the 2026 World Cup. Now he has been brought straight back into the picture.
And it’s not difficult to understand why.
At his best, Veerman offers something Oranje sometimes lacks: a midfielder willing and able to play the difficult forward pass. Xavi wants his teams to dominate possession and build attacks intelligently, and Veerman’s passing range could make him an interesting piece of that puzzle.
Of course, being selected is one thing. Establishing himself in the starting eleven is another.
But this feels like a genuine opportunity for Veerman to restart his Netherlands career.
Malen Injury Is Terrible Timing
The biggest disappointment is Donyell Malen’s withdrawal.
Malen has started the season brilliantly for AS Roma, scoring six goals and providing an assist in his first six matches. Just when he appeared ready to bring that form into Oranje, injury has ruled him out.
Fortunately, Xavi suggested that the problem isn’t particularly serious.
Mexx Meerdink has been called up as his replacement, giving another young Dutch attacker an opportunity to impress the new coach.
Justin Kluivert has also withdrawn from the squad, with Guus Til receiving a call-up.
Germany Is the Perfect First Test
Xavi isn’t getting a gentle introduction to international management.
His first game as Netherlands boss is against Germany.
The upcoming Nations League schedule is:
- September 24: Netherlands vs Germany — 20:45 Dutch time
- September 27: Serbia vs Netherlands — 18:00 Dutch time
- October 1: Greece vs Netherlands — 20:45 Dutch time
- October 4: Netherlands vs Serbia — 20:45 Dutch time
Four matches in eleven days means Xavi will have plenty of opportunities to experiment.
And that’s arguably more important than the immediate results.
Oranje supporters will be watching for something we can recognise: How does Xavi want the Netherlands to play?
Will we see the possession football associated with his Barcelona background? How high will Oranje press? Who will control midfield? And which players will emerge as the core of his new team?
After the disappointment of the World Cup, this feels like the beginning of a genuinely new chapter.
Thursday night against Germany should give us our first answers.
The Xavi era is about to begin.
Excellent post Johan. I think Xavi’s background will tell us he is not a fan of Plan C type pinchhitter football. There are not many alternatives to pinch hitter Weghorst and him not being selected and no other wrecking ball in the squad, Xavi will want to play his style of football, even if we are behind.
It’s typical Xavi to use a joker like Lang instead of Weghorst while always being able to use Virgil or Dumfries as aerial threat if we really have to, or get a corner kick late in the game. Also, can’t Til do what Weghorst does? And maybe even better?
Weghorst is also a liability, with his weird antics at times.
I like the squad. I like his choices and hope Valente will also soon make his way into the squad. It feels to me that Koopmeiners will have to worry about his spot.
Klopp’s Germany is also a work in progress so lets beat the Zjermans and then take stock where we are.
Hoped for the inclusion of some young players but they are included in under 21 Squad. Hope they will be considered in future.
I think Xavi takes it step by step, see where he goes with 3 young guys, and call the others next year or so.
This is a conservative and cautious upgrade rather than a complete rebuild. I do agree with the inclusions and leaving out Memphis and Weghorst. I hope Xavi will make his selections based on merit and form instead of Koeman’s style of sticking with favorites. I would like to see Ruben VB and some of the new faces get decent game time versus the weaker opponents.
As far as players, Brobbey had a hat trick vs Man City this weekend. That should definitely boost his confidence. Sunderland continually look for him as their main focal point of attack, but he doesn’t have that luxury of the offense flowing thru him in Oranje. He needs to take advantage of whatever chances he get.
Gakpo is in fine form after his failed intent to leave Liverpool. Ultimately, it’s good to stay and fight for your place and work hard than run elsewhere. Tottenham is not doing well as a team. And Man City is a stacked team with fierce competition.
As far as the midfield, Frenkie is out so Xavi needs to figure out a plan. Gravenberch is not an automatic starter under Iraola so far. Hopefully, he can step up and use these games to perform well. No idea how Reijnders is doing in the Saudi league. Maybe a chance for some new faces to take advantage.
V de Ven and V Hecke playing together should help Oranje in the long term hoping they develop a good chemistry and understanding.
Verbruggen and Brighton are flying high so far in the Prem sitting 3rd after 5 games. He has been solid overall
This first match vs Germany is good test for Xavi. They are also in transition. They have another high profile manager in Klopp who would like nothing than to start with a win. Klopp has selected an unusually large 40+ player contingent for the four games they will play. Maybe that’s a good idea to see all his options, or may create a chaotic situation. We shall see.
Brobbey beast starter for sure against the Germans. No brainer!
The front line is picking itself. Brobbey, Gakpo, only the third is uncertain, you’d think Summerville, but it is hard to say how his move to Saudi Arabia affects his selection. I’m interested in seeing how Van Bommel and Lang will show.
Forza’s comment about the offense not previously flowing through Brobbey just brings up bad WC memories. It seemed that with the Sweden match, they were doing just that; getting the ball wide, targeting Brobbey in the middle, with the outside and late arriving players getting more room because the defense had drop inside. Simple, and effective. But then came that silly 5 at the back against Morocco, and that all went away.
The central defenders seem set: VVD and Van Hecke, with Van de Ven seeing alot of time due to VVD’s age. The fullbacks get interesting. On the right, Is he going to continue to stay with Dumfries—often productive, but is he a fit for how Xavi wants to play? Frimpong? Will Timber play at rb or rcb (and how much will he be available). LB looks like Hato, unless he will continue with Van de Ven and/or Ake at lb?
MF is who knows for the reasons Forza says. Based on Xavi’s comments, you’d think Veerman is going to get a long look over these games.
It would be a real positive if a player who has not been a regular will surprise and force their way in: Hato, Zechiel, Van Bommel, Lang, seem like good candidates for a breakthrough to me. With 4 games in 11 days, nearly everyone should get an opportunity for an extended run.
Klopp has an interesting idea, dividing his 40 plus into two groups of 20 plus that will each be the roster for two games. We’ll see.
I believe Klopp selected a 44 player squad. As we play 4 games in 10 days or so, I think every player will get minutes.
I am personally not for changing for changes sake. In my view, left back, #10 and RW are the usual question marks. I hope Summerville will be our RW man for the future. Zechiel can fill that role as well. LB, for me, Maatsen, Hato or Jurrien Timber (when fit). I don’t think Ake should be considered and Van de Ven is no full back.
For #10, Kluivert would be ideal but Zechiel might work there too. I find Reijnders to be a true 8 and in my view he will need to compete with Gravenberch.
I do believe Van Bommel and Gakpo are practically the same player. With Lang, we have a different flavour at LW.