Xavi's Netherlands selection puts Depay and Weghorst under pressure
While Donyell Malen and Brian Brobbey recently confirmed their place in the Dutch national team, Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst suddenly find themselves out of the squad. Hans Kraaij junior, who saw the duo being passed by several strikers, believes that their international career with the Dutch national team could end with this. The columnist emphasizes that Xavi no longer offers space to the two experienced forwards.
Hard signal from the national coach
In his column Kraaij states that both Depay and Weghorst have received a hard message from Xavi. “Both of them were not called up, not even when Donyell Malen got injured,” he writes. Moreover, Joshua Zirkzee, a bench player from Manchester United, was still called up after Brobbey’s injury, which Kraaij says will “give Wout and Memphis something to think about.”
The difficulty of returning
Kraaij emphasizes that it will be difficult for the duo to return. “Xavi doesn’t do this lightly. Being passed over by Brobbey and Malen is possible, but also by Meerdink and Zirkzee is an extra step,” says the columnist. He points out that both Depay and Weghorst are “really not dim‑witted” and can still count, but that Xavi’s current choices undermine their chances.
Why Xavi prefers other types
According to Kraaij, Xavi lacks, in his view, “a pinch‑hitter” of the Weghorst type. He believes that Xavi “is not so enamored with big, strong strikers like Wout Weghorst.” Kraaij compares Weghorst to a “9.5” instead of a true “9,” and states that the Spanish national coach prefers strikers who are less physical.
The columnist cites his own observations: “If you look at Weghorst’s numbers in recent weeks: four goals in five matches. That’s not surprising.” Nevertheless, he believes that Xavi values “passion and intensity” more, qualities he sees in Malen, Brobbey, Mexx Meerdink and Zirkzee.
The possible end of Depay’s and Weghorst’s international careers is labeled by Kraaij as “sad news.” He points out that Depay is “the all‑time top scorer for our country,” making the loss for the national team weigh even heavier.