Malen’s hat‑trick sparks debate over his role under new Dutch coach

Donyell Malen dazzled on his Serie A debut, netting three times for AS Roma against Fiorentina on Monday evening, while the Netherlands (Oranje) face uncertainty over whether the new national team manager Xavi will keep him in the forward experiment after a disappointing World Cup.

The three‑goal haul marked an excellent competition start for Malen, who delivered the brace against Fiorentina for AS Roma on Monday night. His performance highlighted his striking instincts in Serie A.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands' (Oranje) World Cup (WK) campaign ended in disappointment, leading to the hiring of Xavi as the new Oranje-bondscoach. The coach now faces the decision of whether to retain Malen in his forward experiment.

The issue was examined by Bas van den Hoven, who discussed it in the VI ZSM programme. The episode, Geschreven by Bas van den Hoven and Bart FrouwsHet, is available for viewing below.

Malen’s club form contrasts sharply with the uncertainty surrounding his international role, underscoring the stakes for the Dutch side. How the new manager weighs his recent exploits will shape the forward line for upcoming fixtures.