Xavi Hernandez makes bold squad decisions as new Netherlands

Xavi Hernandez has made his first major statement as Netherlands manager, dropping the country's all-time top scorer Memphis Depay from his squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The 46-year-old Spanish legend, appointed on August 12th, has called up 22-year-old PSV winger Ruben van Bommel for the first time as he looks to build a team that can "dominate the game." His first test is against Germany on September 24th in Amsterdam.

His 26-man selection for games against Germany and Serbia is a clear signal of intent. Leaving out the 32-year-old Depay, who has 55 international goals, is the headline move. Xavi stated the squad gives him flexibility and a chance to evaluate options over four matches. He has brought in fresh talent like Feyenoord's in-form 22-year-old midfielder Gjivai Zechiël, who has five goals in six Eredivisie games this season. The future of captain Virgil van Dijk, with 96 caps, remains a topic for discussion, with Xavi emphasizing he does not select based on age or reputation alone.

If Van Dijk steps aside, the captaincy could logically pass to Frenkie de Jong, though the Barcelona midfielder is currently injured. Defensively, the Netherlands has depth with players like Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Jurrien Timber ready to step in. Xavi, the first foreign manager for the Netherlands since the 1970s, faces the task of refreshing an ageing core while integrating a pool of talent his predecessor largely overlooked. His philosophy, forged at Barcelona, is centered on taking initiative and controlling possession.

In a separate interview, Xavi named three current midfielders he believes share his playing style. He identified Barcelona's Pedri, Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha, and Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister. The 27-year-old Mac Allister has started the season strongly for Liverpool with two goals and an assist in six appearances. Xavi's career, which included 31 trophies and a defining role in Spain's 2010 World Cup win, was built on exceptional passing and tempo control, traits he sees in this modern trio.

The new Oranje boss also reflected on his legendary partnership with Lionel Messi at Barcelona. Xavi said the Argentine's unique quality was obvious to anyone, even those without football knowledge. "You didn’t need to understand football to know Messi was different," he said. Together, they won two continental trebles in 2009 and 2015, featuring in nearly 400 games for the club. Xavi returned to Barcelona as manager in 2021, but Messi had already departed for Paris Saint-Germain.

• New Direction: Xavi's first squad omits all-time top scorer Memphis Depay, favoring younger options like Ruben van Bommel.
• Tactical Vision: The manager wants a Netherlands team that dominates possession and takes the initiative, a hallmark of his Barcelona upbringing.
• Midfield Blueprint: Xavi sees his playing style reflected in current stars Pedri, Vitinha, and Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.
• Immediate Challenge: His managerial debut comes against Jürgen Klopp's Germany on September 24, a high-profile Nations League opener.

Xavi's appointment places him among other high-profile new international managers like Jürgen Klopp (Germany) and Zinédine Zidane (France) for this Nations League cycle. After being out of management since leaving Barcelona in May 2024, he now faces the immediate pressure of delivering results while reshaping Dutch football's identity. The coming weeks will show if his philosophy can translate successfully to the international stage.