After the good international matches in March against Spain and the return of Ryan Gravenberch, national coach Ronald Koeman has more to choose from than ever in the Orange midfield. Up front, the pecking order is no longer as clear as at the European Championship.
“They are difficult choices,” Koeman acknowledged on Friday evening at a press conference in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, where Orange will start their World Cup qualification against Finland tonight. In the Nations League matches against Spain, he gave Justin Kluivert the chance in midfield, with Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders.
Against Finland, Gravenberch is back in the selection after an injury. It seems that the midfielder will return to the starting lineup, which would be at the expense of Kluivert. De Jong and Reijnders are undisputed.
On the right wing, the question is whether Jeremie Frimpong will start again after strong matches against Spain. Against the reigning European champion, he had Lutsharel Geertruida behind him as right back, but he will make way for the returned Denzel Dumfries against Spain. The Frimpong-Dumfries combination is less obvious.
“The boys who played against Spain did a fantastic job,” Koeman said on Friday. “Other players are back. How are we going to do against Finland? I choose the best team in my opinion.”
‘I look at the type of match’
As usual, Koeman was reluctant to reveal much about his starting lineup. He only confirmed that Mark Flekken is goalkeeping, as a replacement for the injured Bart Verbruggen.
In the striker position, Koeman must choose between Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst. At the European Championship, Memphis was an undisputed starter and Weghorst the permanent substitute, but that is no longer the case. “Wout and Memphis have different qualities. I look at the type of match.”
Koeman emphasized that he wants Orange to reach such a high level again against Finland as against Spain. “It will be different. Finland plays more defensively, we will have less space. But we must bring the same energy as against Spain. That is possible and necessary against every opponent.”