Xavi leaves door wide open for Depay, Driessen sees chance with the Oranje

While Xavi recently stated that the gate for the Corinthians striker is not definitively closed, journalist Valentijn Driessen signals in a video item a concrete opening for Memphis Depay to make his comeback with the Oranje. Depay misses the current international break, after he played a supporting role at the World Cup under Ronald Koeman.

Opening according to Driessen

Driessen interprets Xavi’s statements as a clear signal that the squad is not strictly tied to the four internationals that have been played so far. He compares the remark to Xavi’s earlier explanation at the squad announcement, when it concerned Virgil van Dijk. “What Xavi said was similar to what he said at the squad announcement, when it was about Virgil van Dijk,” quotes Driessen.

According to Driessen, Xavi does not look beyond the immediate results of those four internationals; he emphasizes good performances and keeps the future open. “I don’t think he is already thinking about the Euro or the final rounds of the Nations League, but that he takes it match by match and therefore there is still a chance for Depay to return to the Dutch national team,” says the journalist.

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Selection dynamics at the Oranje

In the current squad, Donyell Malen and Brian Brobbey were initially on the list, but both have withdrawn, resulting in Mexx Meerdink and Joshua Zirkzee forming the attacking duo. Wout Weghorst did not receive a call-up and reports himself that he was not even in the preliminary selection.

Driessen suspects that there may be an agreement between Xavi and Depay, allowing the striker to appear in the squad again in November. “Depay was now the fifth striker in line, but perhaps something has been arranged between the two and he will be included in November. That could easily happen, I think this provides an opening,” he says.

The journalist concludes that the current squad says little about future choices; the door, according to Xavi, always remains open for players who convince on a match‑by‑match basis.