Ronald Koeman doubts Jurriën Timber's World Cup chances, rebuffs Joey Veerman

Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman expressed doubt about Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber's chances of reaching the World Cup. He also responded to criticism from midfielder Joey Veerman. Koeman said he does not have a good feeling about Timber's prospects for the tournament. The defender has been hampered by a lingering groin injury and has not yet returned to full training. The groin problem has kept Timber out of recent club matches, limiting his opportunity to prove fitness ahead of the international selection. Koeman's comments underline the uncertainty surrounding his availability.

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Joey Veerman, who is not part of the current squad, publicly criticised the coach's decisions. Koeman addressed the remarks, noting that Veerman is already excluded from the selection. The coach emphasized that selection decisions will be based on players' health and form. He reiterated that only those ready to contribute will be considered for the World Cup roster. The Netherlands will continue to evaluate options as the World Cup approaches, with the coach likely to monitor Timber's recovery closely.