Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Netherlands until the 2026 World Cup at least, but the door is shut on Steven Bergwijn after the forward’s transfer to Saudi Arabia, the manager, Ronald Koeman, confirmed on Tuesday.
Koeman, who led the Dutch to the Euro 2024 semi-finals before a loss to England, is preparing for a Nations League clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Eindhoven on Saturday and revealed he flew to Liverpool to have face to face talks with Van Dijk.
“I thought it was so important to go to him to see and feel with him: are you going to give it your all for another two years at the highest level and do you still see a future for yourself? And he does. And I do the same with him. All doubt is gone, he just goes on,” Koeman told reporters. “He admitted he did not reach the level you would expect from him as a player at the European Championship. As captain, I think he did a great job. But perhaps as a result, he put too much energy into others rather than into himself.”
Koeman confirmed he had not considered Bergwijn for selection after a poor start to the season at Ajax and his move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. “The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this,” Koeman said. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.
“I have never been in that situation, because I could go to Barcelona. He could have stayed at Ajax, that’s not bad, is it? You have to respect that choice, but personally I wouldn’t [have moved].”
Georginio Wijnaldum, 33, was in the Dutch squad at Euro 2024 despite playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. But Koeman added: “He had problems at Paris Saint-Germain and this was the only opportunity for him to play. In addition, there is a difference in age.”
Koeman also confirmed that it was unlikely midfielders Marten de Roon and Wijnaldum will have a place in his squads in the future as he looks at other options. Daley Blind has already announced his retirement from the national team. Koeman also failed to call up lead forward Memphis Depay, who is now without a club after leaving Atlético Madrid, though it has been reported he is in talks with Sevilla.
“It’s primarily because he doesn’t have a club. That means you don’t play football and you can’t be with the national team. Memphis is 30, let’s hope he gets a club and gets fit. Then he is still an option for me.”
after newsletter promotion
The Dutch will also host Germany in Amsterdam next Tuesday.