Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman eyeing replacements after Xavi Simons injury

[p]Simons, 23, ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament ‌in his right knee during [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham Hotspur[/a]’s 1-0 victory at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/wolves/j3Azpf5d/"]Wolverhampton Wanderers[/a] ‌in the English Premier League last weekend.[/p][p][b]“It is ‌especially dramatic for the player himself, who is also fighting ‌against relegation with his club,”[/b] Koeman told reporters ‌while at an award ceremony on Thursday.[/p][p][b]“The only plus in his case is that he is young. He will definitely play ‌in major tournaments in the future, ⁠but that doesn't change ‌the fact that this injury is dramatic.[/b][/p][p]“You could see from his ​reaction (on the field) that it could be serious ...[/p][p][b]“We were waiting for the tests, and that ​turned out to be bad news. That is dramatic for us; he is a player with a lot ⁠of talent and ​potential.”[/b][/p][image alt="Recent form" id="6f8cc29b-25bd-4e99-9415-780c0f2a51fe" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="9528da19-5a24-4432-a10d-34713e1209d3" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Koeman name-checked [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/player/til-guus/bcK8T2U3/"]Guus Til[/a] from Dutch champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psv/M9UEHJWi/"]PSV Eindhoven[/a] as potential replacements.[/p][p][b]“It remains to be seen how Justin Kluivert's injury progresses. But in principle, ‌we have enough options for the number 10 position.”[/b][/p][p]Kluivert had knee surgery after an injury in January, but told Dutch television last week he was back in training.[/p][p][b]“An injury that is gone after a short period is not always bad news. The players have had a certain amount of rest. I don't think [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-jong-frenkie/A1F3rz9c/"]Frenkie de Jong[/a]'s injury, who is now being eased back ‌into the team at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], is bad news,”[/b] added ​the coach.[/p][p]De Jong's absence from the European Championship in ‌Germany two years ago was seen as a major blow.[/p][p][b]“We are going to ensure the strongest possible side at the World Cup,” [/b]Koeman said.[/p][p]The Dutch are drawn in Group F against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] ⁠and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a] - their opening ⁠opponents in Dallas on ‌[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/japan-ULXPdOUj/netherlands-WYintcWb/?mid=4SV9xFBO"]June 14[/a].[/p]