Virgil van Dijk expects Georginio Wijnaldum to rejoin the selection of the Dutch national team for the World Cup, although the captain realizes that the reserve captain is not in the best phase of his career.
“I think – but I am not the national coach – that Gini with his qualities always belongs in Orange,” said Van Dijk on Thursday at a press conference prior to Friday’s away game against Belgium. “But he is not in the best phase of his career. He is not feeling well. He has to accept the choice that the national coach has made.”
The 31-year-old Wijnaldum was mainly on the bench at his club Paris Saint-Germain this season, but according to Van Gaal, the lack of playing minutes was not the reason for the midfielder’s absence in the Orange selection.
Van Gaal said that Wijnaldum “delivered too little” in the recent international matches of the Dutch national team. A return of the former player of Liverpool, PSV and Feyenoord did not rule out the national coach, because he is a “lover of Georginio”.
Van Gaal does not mind that players are critical of his choice. Earlier, Memphis Depay said that Wijnaldum should have been called up for the four Nations League games of the Orange. “They just have to answer questions from the media and then they have to be honest. I think that’s all fine,” said the national coach in Brussels on Thursday.
Van Dijk has every confidence in Wijnaldum’s quick return. “He is very important to the group, on and off the field. That will be the case again in the future. He has to know where he stands at the club, play and have a smile on his face. We miss that now We will soon see him again with his qualities and mentality. Anyone who knows him will have no doubts about that.”
After the press conference, the Orange squad trained in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
After the press conference, the Orange squad trained in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
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Van Dijk is not thinking about vacation yet
Van Dijk will play the only of the four matches of the Dutch national team against Belgium on Friday, because he will then be allowed to go on holiday from Van Gaal after a long season with Liverpool. The captain emphasized that he is not yet thinking about his holiday.
“It’s very simple, I’m going to give everything. It won’t change anything. I’m not someone who will hold back or think about where I will be in a week. I always give everything and tomorrow will be no different.”
Star player Kevin De Bruyne complained to Belgium about the four matches in the Nations League because of the grueling schedule. He is supported by Van Dijk. “I think it’s crazy that there are four games after a long season. There is also more chance of injuries. That’s a shame. That has to be looked at and talked about. Players must have input.”
The Nations League match between Belgium and the Netherlands starts on Friday at 8.45 pm and is played in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The game is led by Spanish referee José María Sánchez Martínez.
Nations League program of Orange in June
- June 3 in Brussels: Belgium-Netherlands
- June 8 in Cardiff: Wales-Netherlands
- June 11 in Rotterdam: Netherlands-Poland
- June 14 in Rotterdam: Netherlands-Wales
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Virgil van Dijk and Louis van Gaal at the Orange press conference in Brussels on Thursday.
Virgil van Dijk and Louis van Gaal at the Orange press conference in Brussels on Thursday. Photo: ANP
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