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Journalists expect Memphis Depay to also start against England as a striker for the Dutch national team. Telegraph After an exclusive interview with national coach Ronald Koeman. Although the 30-year-old striker from Moordrecht has been heavily criticised, Koeman has no doubts about his “striker” Memphis.
Koeman believes Memphis can bring more than he is doing now. “Memphis can do better, but that's also down to the others. He's part of the team. Sometimes he's called upon in difficult situations. He wants that too, but he can do better. Again, that's also down to the team.
“Everyone has their opinion and says something. But I am the one who tests the players every day and sees things in training that others don’t see,” said Koeman, who admits that Memphis deserves a lot of credit. “I also think he deserves it. The old Koeman didn’t surpass Depay either. That has nothing to do with who I was ten years ago and who I am now.
Koeman regularly sits with Memphis. “Of course sometimes I also ask him to be a deep striker, like he was at Atletico Madrid when he played, with Griezmann at his back. He has to add that to being a striker. So don't collapse and want to play football. That means the others have to go deep. I'm still convinced of him as a striker. He's a striker, a football striker.”
“If you want to become European champions, players with something extra have to be present in games like the one against England. Weghorst is of course a much better striker than Depay because he plays when he is at the back. But against England? Depay is possible, Weghorst is possible, the combination is possible. I know that myself, but leave it open for you,” Koeman said.
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Koeman was also asked on Monday about his contract with the Dutch FA, which runs until mid-2026. “When asked if he wanted to continue after the tournament until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Koeman answered in the affirmative,” Koeman said. TelegraphWhich is what Koeman also quotes.
“As it is now, yes. I don’t think they can get rid of me anymore,” said the selector. The Dutch FA could have sacked Koeman if the Dutch failed at the eighth finals or sooner, but the 61-year-old Zandammer has already led his selection to the semi-finals of the European Championship. England are the opponents on Wednesday night.
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