Koeman names Depay and Jurrien Timber in Netherlands World Cup squad despite fitness doubts

Ronald Koeman has taken a calculated risk on Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber, naming both injury-troubled players in the Netherlands’ squad for next month’s World Cup. The coach confirmed the selection on Wednesday ahead of a press conference, with Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong among the notable absentees.

Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer with 55 international goals, has been managing thigh and calf problems and has made only two substitute appearances for Brazilian club Corinthians over the past two months. At 32, his match sharpness will be a concern for Koeman heading into the tournament.

Timber’s inclusion is similarly bold. The 24-year-old Arsenal defender was forced off during a match against Everton in mid-March and subsequently missed 14 games across all competitions with a groin problem. He returned to training with Arsenal this week, just in time for Saturday’s Champions League final.

Justin Kluivert is another fitness gamble in the squad, having made only two substitute appearances for Bournemouth since returning from knee surgery in January. Noa Lang, who suffered an unusual finger injury while playing for Galatasaray against Liverpool in the Champions League in March, also makes the cut.

Among the fresh faces, West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville and Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs are both uncapped. Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon earns a surprise recall, receiving his first call-up in two years.

Stefan de Vrij misses out after sustaining a thigh injury during Inter Milan’s final Serie A match of the season against Bologna, while Frimpong’s omission is the headline exclusion on the Liverpool front, despite Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo all being named.

The Netherlands will play warm-up fixtures against Algeria in Rotterdam on 3 June and Uzbekistan in New York on 8 June before the tournament begins.

Netherlands World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Olympique de Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)