Xavi’s Netherlands Revolution: No Memphis Depay
Xavi’s Oranje revolution starts with a shock: no Memphis Depay.
On his first squad list as Netherlands head coach, the former Barcelona boss has cut loose one of the faces of the previous era, leaving out the country’s joint-second all-time scorer as he chases the national record. Reputation, for now, counts for nothing.
Memphis, still waiting for his first goal in Brazil with Corinthians, has paid the price for a stuttering start to life in São Paulo. Xavi has nailed his colours to the mast early: match sharpness and club form trump past glories. It is a clean, cold break from the Ronald Koeman years and a clear message to the dressing room – no one is untouchable.
Big names out, new rules in
Memphis is not alone. Marten de Roon and Wout Weghorst are also out of the picture for this international window, more collateral in a wider reset.
Injuries have removed some choices from Xavi’s hands. Frenkie de Jong is still sidelined with the knee problem that wrecked his World Cup, delaying the much-anticipated reunion between the midfielder and his old Barcelona coach. Mats Wieffer also misses out through injury, while Stefan de Vrij’s omission, following his move to Greece, feels like the quiet fading of a long international career.
There is good news at the back, though. Jurrien Timber returns after the serious knee injury that cost him the World Cup and a large chunk of his recent club seasons. His comeback offers Xavi a versatile, modern defender at exactly the right moment.
Youth takes centre stage
If the cuts are ruthless, the promotions are bold.
Ruben van Bommel, son of former Oranje stalwart Mark van Bommel, rides the wave of a blistering start with PSV Eindhoven straight into the national team. Back from a cruciate ligament injury that might have derailed a lesser talent, the winger has already produced two goals and two assists in league play. Xavi has moved quickly to reward that form.
Gjivai Zechiel’s rise has been just as emphatic. Now a regular starter at Feyenoord, the technical midfielder has added a ruthless streak in front of goal, scoring five times already this season. That blend of craft and penalty-box instinct fits neatly with the kind of high-tempo, high-skill football Xavi wants from his midfield line.
Veerman’s second chance
Then there is Joey Veerman, perhaps the most intriguing name on the list.
Frozen out under Koeman after a poor showing against Austria at Euro 2024 and a bruising public debate in the Dutch media over his tactical suitability, the Borussia Dortmund playmaker looked finished at international level. Persona non grata, and quickly forgotten.
A move to the Bundesliga has rewritten that script. His performances in Germany have convinced Xavi that the 27-year-old still has something essential to offer. Veerman’s passing range and ability to split lines from deep could become a key weapon in a system that demands technical excellence from its central midfielders. From scapegoat to potential fulcrum – his rehabilitation may say as much about Xavi’s open mind as it does about Veerman’s resilience.
Van Dijk stays at the heart of it
One of Xavi’s first victories came away from the cameras. Virgil van Dijk, who had openly questioned his international future after the painful World Cup exit to Morocco, has committed to continue as captain after private talks with the new manager in August.
That decision stabilises the entire project. Van Dijk remains the anchor of a back line that also includes Premier League defenders Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, giving the Netherlands a powerful, athletic core to build around.
Xavi has also shown he will judge players on performance rather than postcode. Unlike some European coaches wary of the Saudi Pro League, he has kept faith with Tijjani Reijnders and Crysencio Summerville despite their recent moves to the Middle East. For now, their level has satisfied him. Their passports and paychecks will not decide their international fate.
A new hierarchy is being written in Oranje. The old guard are feeling the squeeze, the next generation are kicking down the door, and Xavi has made it clear he will not blink. The only question now is simple: who adapts fast enough to survive in his Netherlands?
