Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has provided clarification regarding the decision to send midfielder Frenkie de Jong back to Barcelona ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
De Jong, who started in the Netherlands’ recent 3-0 win over Hungary, has left the national squad to return to his club for further medical treatment. His departure came on the heels of a strong performance, but Koeman explained that the plan all along was to assess De Jong’s fitness after the Hungary match before making any further decisions.
“We had discussed this in advance,” Koeman told reporters during a pre-match press conference. “Frenkie was always going to start against Hungary, and then we would evaluate his condition. The goal was never to have him travel or play a second half if it wasn’t necessary. The priority is for him to continue his recovery and focus on preparing for matches with Barcelona.”
De Jong has been managing an ankle injury and has acknowledged the need for extra care moving forward. Koeman confirmed that the decision to send him back was precautionary, emphasizing that there was no setback in the injury, but rather a step in ensuring the player’s long-term fitness.
The Netherlands will face Bosnia and Herzegovina without De Jong, with Koeman confident that the midfielder will benefit from further rest and treatment as he aims to return to full fitness for Barcelona.
Leave a Reply