According to former Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, Memphis Depay and Dutch international Frenkie De Jong need more playing time at Barcelona this season if they want to have an influence at the World Cup.
Concerning lack of playing time for Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong before the World Cup
The veteran pair are essential to the Netherlands’ hopes as they attempt to qualify for the World Cup after failing to do so in 2018. De Jong has been a favourite of Dutch boss Louis van Gaal. In order to create room for new hires, both players were under pressure to leave Barcelona over the offseason. Kluivert claims that they chose to stay, which may have curtailed their playing time.
“Everyone is aware of the calibre of the World Cup, so it’s not a good indication. When he was in India for a screening of LaLiga’s “El Clasico,” Kluivert told Reuters that in order to perform well at the World Cup, you need to have minutes in your legs.
The ability to play at least 75 minutes nonstop is crucial at this level during the World Cup.
I believe that Xavi is extremely clear about the guys that he wants to start. The players must be aware of the implications if they refuse to leave for any reason, including the fact that they won’t get the necessary playing time before the World Cup.
The Dutch squad is unbeaten in 15 games heading into their campaign in Qatar, but Kluivert claimed it doesn’t matter since the World Cup is “a different ball game.”
Van Gaal last managed the Netherlands in 2014, when they finished third and advanced to the semifinals. The decision by Van Gaal to go from the conventional 4-3-3 to a back-three with wing-backs has been criticised by several of the current players, but Kluivert, who served as part of the coaching staff for the Dutch squad in 2014, thought the system was perfect. With a chuckle, Kluivert noted that “there was some whining in 2014 as well (when) it was a 3-5-2.”
Some athletes were unhappy, while others were. The Dutch national team had the players to play the system, but in the end, they utilised the 3-5-2 that Van Gaal proposed. It may be really helpful if everyone points their noses in the proper way.