After missing out on Russia 2018, the Netherlands are set to make their triumphant return in World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The Dutch have been drawn into quite an easy Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador, and Senegal, and they are favoured to come out on top.
However, a bunch of key Dutch stars are facing some significant issues a few months before the start of the tournament that could drastically affect their World Cup 2022 odds.
Read on below as SBOTOP discusses the big dilemmas surrounding the Dutch.
Wijnaldum faces race to make World Cup after leg break
Georginio Wijnaldum’s availability for World Cup 2022 is in serious doubt after he sustained a broken leg. Wijnaldum suffered the injury during training with his new club Roma, whom he joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Wijnaldum could be out for at least three months, which also happens to be the amount of time before the start of the World Cup on Nov. 20.
Wijnaldum’s absence would be a massive blow for the Oranje’s World Cup hopes. While he has an underwhelming scoring record in his club career, Wijnaldum has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for the national team; he has scored 26 goals in 86 caps, which is the second-most international goals on the team by a wide margin. That includes three goals in Euro 2020, which led the team.
Moreover, the 31-year-old is also by far the most experienced midfielder in the squad, and his leadership – he’s the team’s vice captain behind Virgil van Dijk – would be greatly missed.
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Berghuis both started the last round of UEFA Nations League matches in Wijnaldum’s absence, and they will be contenders to replace the Roma man if he fails to get fit in time. Both also have an eye for goal as midfielders.
But with respect to them, neither can truly replace the overall impact that Wijnaldum provides for the Oranje.
Frenkie de Jong remains in Barcelona limbo
As if Wijnaldum’s injury wasn’t concerning enough, Oranje coach Louis van Gaal also has to deal with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of his other key midfielder, Frenkie de Jong.
The Barcelona man continues to be linked with a move away from the Camp Nou as the end of the summer transfer window gets closer.
de Jong got the start in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, but it remains to be seen whether he will still retain his place as a regular starter when captain Sergio Busquets returns from suspension.
Wijnaldum’s injury puts even more responsibility on Frenkie’s plate in midfield. He will be tasked to contribute on both ends of the pitch, organising the defence while orchestrating the attack, so he needs to hit top form ahead of the World Cup.
However, there’s the possibility of Frenkie being frozen out at Barca if he refuses to leave or lower his wages. And even a move away from the Camp Nou carries its own set of risks depending on which club he ends up on.
While Frenkie’s future remains uncertain, it’s quite clear that he will be crucial to the Oranje’s overall chances of making noise in World Cup 2022.
Memphis Depay awaiting move away from Barca
Frenkie de Jong isn’t the only Dutchman whose future at Barcelona is yet to be resolved, as striker Memphis Depay is also awaiting a resolution to his situation.
The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed to the termination of his Barcelona contract, although that would only come into effect if he finds an agreement with a new club.
Juventus have been strongly linked with a move for Memphis, but the Old Lady are reportedly closing in on Marseille’s Arkadiusz Milik, which might put the Memphis deal in doubt.
Memphis just might be the most important player for the Dutch heading into World Cup 2022. He is far and away the Oranje’s leading scorer with 42 career international goals in 80 caps.
The decline in quality from him to his replacements is quite steep, with the likes of Wout Weghorst, Vincent Janssen, and Luuk de Jong the main alternatives to provide World Cup 2022 highlights.
The Dutch will be desperately hoping Memphis can sort his future out and get some consistent playing time as his form could make or break the Oranje’s World Cup 2022 campaign.
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