Some Oranje players want former PSV player in the World Cup squad for the hierarchy

Last Sunday, national coach Ronald Koeman closed the door at NOS Studio Voetbal for former PSV captain Georginio Wijnaldum. The midfielder does not have to count on a spot in Koeman's World Cup squad despite injuries to Xavi Simons and Jerdy Schouten.

Despite this, journalist Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf believes the situation is put together differently. ''There are decisive players who would very much like to have Wijnaldum and De Roon along. For the hierarchy, and because they are players who have played in top competitions. They have won prizes, and they say that you also have to learn to win them. Koeman does take a risk by ignoring the players' wish to take Wijnaldum along. That won't be all players, but it will be a few decisive players'', says Verweij in the podcast Kick-Off of De Telegraaf.

Wijnaldum was still part of Ronald Koeman’s squad for Euro 2024, where the midfielder had to make do with a place on the bench. After this European Championship, the 96-cap international no longer went into action, so he therefore doesn’t need to count on a place in the World Cup squad either.

Verweij finds it strange that Koeman made this known on national television. ''What also strikes me about Koeman's communication is that this was quite reasonably the way he put Wijnaldum in a bad light on national TV,'' the journalist continues.

Verweij is of the opinion that the national coach could have waited better to release this news, due to the fact that a few established Oranje players and contenders could possibly be injured. ''He could also have said that he is keeping that decision to himself for a little while longer, because imagine that Til gets injured and Kluivert gets a setback. And that you eventually do have to call on him. Just like with Veerman, you can’t, with good sense and proper manners, call Wijnaldum in now,'' concludes the journalist from De Telegraaf.