UEFA Nations League: New chance for De Ligt to show ability for Netherlands

The new Manchester United signing did not get any game time at the tournament in Germany in June-July but looks likely to start alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

De Ligt, now 25, was only 17 when he made his Dutch debut in 2017 and has won 45 caps for the country, many of them under Koeman. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Defender Matthijs de Ligt is to be given a new chance with the Netherlands national team, after being sidelined at Euro 2024, when the Dutch begin their Nations League campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina, coach Ronald Koeman said on Friday.

The new Manchester United signing did not get any game time at the tournament in Germany in June-July but looks likely to start alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence on Saturday after Stefan de Vrij was left out of the squad.

“When Matthijs called me about the possible move he could make to Manchester United, we also talked about the European Championship,” Koeman told a press conference.

“I didn’t give Matthijs the nicest message in the run-up to the European Championship, I chose Stefan de Vrij. Now it’s Matthijs’ turn to show it because there are others who can play in that position. It is clear that I would like to see Matthijs reach the level he had before.”

De Ligt, now 25, was only 17 when he made his Dutch debut in 2017 and has won 45 caps for the country, many of them under Koeman when he had his first spell in charge of the national team from early 2018 to late 2019.

But since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar he has featured in only five internationals as his club career struggled at Bayern Munich.

MATURE IMPRESSION

Koeman might also consider a first cap for Brighton & Hove Albion centre back Jan Paul van Hecke, who came into the squad as a late injury replacement.

“He has been with Brighton for more than a full season now and has made a very mature impression. He makes good choices in possession. That’s nice to see,” Koeman said.

The Nations League matches over the next three months mark the start of a new cycle, said Koeman, culminating in the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.

“We have new players and that brings change to the squad. The way we worked this week, makes me very happy.”

Tactically, however, the Dutch would employ the same approach as they did in Germany, the coach added.

“With the players who have joined and who will join in the next two years, I think we can continue in the same way. As a team we can put on better high pressure, but that does involve a number of changes. We have worked on that, but it has to be better,” he warned.