Netherlands drop Depay for Germany match in Xavi’s first squad

Dutch record goalscorer Memphis Depay was left out of new coach Xavi Hernandez’s first selection Friday, but captain Virgil van Dijk is in the squad to take on Germany.

The 32-year-old striker, now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, has been the subject of speculation for months after featuring only on the fringe at the Oranje’s disappointing World Cup.

Depay has scored 55 goals in a Dutch shirt but has not found the back of the net since November 2025 in a World Cup qualifier against Poland.

The former Barcelona and Manchester United forward has battled injuries and a loss of form in recent months and even took a pay cut to extend his contract in Brazil.

Veteran striker Wout Weghorst also misses out, as does Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, who is injured.

Van Dijk had also refused to commit to international football after his Dutch team were dumped out of the World Cup last 32 by Morocco on penalties.

But the Liverpool defender has been named in the side that will take on Jurgen Klopp’s Germany in a UEFA Nations League match in Amsterdam on Thursday.

For his first match in charge of the Oranje, Xavi has handed a squad debut to Ruben van Bommel, son of Dutch legend Mark.

Half of the 26 players named in the Dutch squad are plying their trade in the Premier League.

Only three come from the Dutch Eredivisie, two from PSV Eindhoven and one from Feyenoord.

Joey Veerman, playing for Borussia Dortmund, returns to the Dutch squad after a more-than-two-year absence.

Xavi has promised to bring back the attacking footballing philosophy the Oranje are famous for, believing this will bring the team out of the doldrums in terms of results.

In replacing Ronald Koeman on a four-year deal, Xavi became the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years.

AFP