While Hansi Flick and the DFB are keeping a low profile with regard to the provisional World Cup squad for the German national team, the Dutch are being far more transparent. Bondscoach Louis van Gaal has nominated 39 players.
Van Gaal admits via the association’s website that it is not his “style” to nominate so many players. “But because you can’t see into the future, you just have to be prepared for possible setbacks like injuries.”
With Mark Flekken (SC Freiburg), Micky van de Ven (VfL Wolfsburg), Mitchel Bakker, Jeremie Frimpong (both Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Matthijs de Ligt, Ryan Gravenberch (both FC Bayern Munich) and Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), seven Bundesliga players are in the Oranje squad.
Of the top 5 leagues, the Bundesliga is the one that provides the most Dutch internationals. With Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool FC), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United) and Pascal Struijk (Leeds United), the English Premier League follows with five players, while from Italy, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon (both Atalanta Bergamo), Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan) and from Spain with Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong (both FC Barcelona) and Arnaut Danjuma (FC Villarreal).
The largest contingent, however, is Ajax Amsterdam, from whose squad no fewer than nine professionals find themselves in the Elftal. Also included is ex-Wolfsburg player Wout Weghorst, who now plays for Besiktas in Turkey.
The final squad of at least 23 and a maximum of 26 players must be submitted to FIFA by 14 November.
The provisional World Cup squad of the Netherlands
Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Mitchel Bakker (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Jasper Cillessen (N.E.C. ), Jordy Clasie (AZ), Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Mark Flekken (SC Freiburg), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich), Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp FC), Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Andries Noppert (SC Heerenveen), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Devyne Rensch (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Xavi Simons (PSV), Pascal Struijk (Leeds United), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Guus Til (PSV), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Micky van de Ven (VfL Wolfsburg), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas)
