NOS wonders out loud: “How much longer will he still have a spot in the starting lineup for Oranje?”

Despite a strong half-season at AS Roma, former PSV striker Donyell Malen has not yet managed to score for Oranje at the 2026 World Cup. Last Saturday, Malen played against Sweden (5-1) on the right wing, and Brian Brobbey took his place in attack.

Brobbey converted his starting spot into a successful result with two goals, and Crysencio Summerville too, who came on in the second half to relieve Malen, made a good impression and also managed to score the 5-1. Last Sunday, national team coach Ronald Koeman spoke with Malen, as the NOS and Algemeen Dagblad report.

''Koeman spoke on Sunday during the training session after the match in Kansas City for minutes with Donyell Malen, who has been without an appearance in six internationals and is repeatedly taken off early. How long will he still have a place in the starting lineup for Oranje?'', the broadcaster asks out loud.

Correspondent Jeroen Stekelenburg said about that, among other things: ''That didn’t look like a hosanna conversation.''

In addition to Malen, Koeman also spoke with defender Jan Paul van Hecke. ''Koeman appeared to explain a number of game situations from the meeting with Sweden to Van Hecke, using arm gestures and movements. The conversation lasted for a few minutes,'' according to the AD.