Dutch boss Koeman to take extra time before finalising World Cup squad

[p]The Dutch football association said ‌the squad announcement has been moved ‌back two days to Wednesday, May 27th.[/p][p]Players like ‌leading scorer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/depay-memphis/zo1h8MrD/"]Memphis Depay[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bournemouth/OtpNdwrc/"]Bournemouth[/a]’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kluivert-justin/fq4lU5sI/"]Justin Kluivert[/a] ‌and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/timber-jurrien/hSaoLOM4/"]Jurrien Timber[/a] are among those doubtful for next month’s tournament in Canada, ‌Mexico and the United States.[/p][p][b]"By taking ⁠two extra ‌days, we can be more certain that the players ​we are going to select are in good shape," Koeman said in ​a statement released by the football association. [/b][/p][p][b]"Moreover, it gives us the opportunity to personally ⁠see, speak to ​and assess several players who are in contention for the final selection during training days on May 25th, 26th and 27th.[/b][/p][embed guid="fd83702e-2f48-4509-a4a4-4bd7a682aafa" url="https://x.com/OnsOranje/status/2053787156800221277" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]“This ‌has no further impact on our original schedule, as preparation with the complete group starts on Saturday, May 30th. I would therefore like to utilise the extra time this offers to take all aspects into account in the choices we make regarding the final selection,” he added.[/b][/p][p]The Dutch fly ‌to the United States on June 4th, ​and in the run-up to their first ‌World Cup match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a] on June 14th in Dallas.[/p][p]They will play friendly matches against fellow finalists [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a] on June 3rd in Rotterdam and Uzbekistan on ⁠June 8th ⁠in New York.[/p]