New Netherlands national team coach Xavi Hernández has expressed his backing for the injured Frenkie de Jong. Xavi, officially presented on Tuesday as the successor to Ronald Koeman, called the Barcelona midfielder a very important player for Oranje. This was reported by sports.yahoo.com following the press conference.
The 46-year-old Xavi takes over after Koeman's departure following the 2026 World Cup. The Netherlands currently sits top of their World Cup qualifying group with 7 points from three matches. They hold a 2-point lead over Japan and a +6 goal difference (10 scored, 4 conceded). The team is unbeaten in its last five fixtures.
How important is Frenkie de Jong for the Netherlands?
Frenkie de Jong is a mainstay in the Netherlands squad. The 29-year-old midfielder suffered a medial collateral ligament tear during the World Cup. He opted against surgery to shorten his recovery time. Xavi Hernández stated during his presentation that De Jong is motivated by his arrival as national coach. "Frenkie is motivated by our arrival," Xavi said.
The former Barcelona manager repeatedly trusted De Jong in different roles during his time in Catalonia. He now emphasized his value for the national team. "Hopefully he can recover as soon as possible. He is a very important player both for Barca and for the national team," stated the new coach. De Jong attempted to return to training on Tuesday but still felt discomfort without the ball.
What is the current status of his injury?
Frenkie de Jong's recovery is progressing cautiously. He made his first attempt to train on the same day Xavi was presented. The midfielder chose a conservative treatment path without surgery to enable a quicker return. His fitness is vital for the Netherlands, which faces a key qualifying match against Germany at home on September 24. The team's last result was a 1-1 draw with Morocco on June 30.
Competition in Barcelona's midfield, with players like Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Bernal under manager Hansi Flick, is fierce. Yet Xavi remains convinced of De Jong's qualities. The midfielder's future at Barcelona is under scrutiny, but talk of a departure before the transfer window closes is considered far-fetched. The arrival of Rodri has altered the landscape in Catalonia.
What does this mean for the Netherlands squad?
Xavi's trust in Frenkie de Jong sends a clear message to the rest of the squad. The new coach knows the player well from their shared time at Barcelona. De Jong will have to fight for his place at his club upon return, but his position in the national team appears secure under Xavi. Fans can follow the current squad on our squad page.
De Jong's injury coincides with a strong qualifying period for the Netherlands. The team is on a run of three wins and two draws. The upcoming fixtures, which you can find on our fixtures page, will be decisive. The home match against Germany is a significant test. The current standings show a comfortable position, but the group is far from decided.
Xavi Hernández begins his tenure as Netherlands coach with clear support for one of his key players. Frenkie de Jong's recovery is being closely monitored in both Barcelona and at the KNVB. The midfielder remains an essential part of the Dutch team looking to solidify its leading position in the qualifying group.
