Joshua Zirkzee, the 23-year-old striker, has been unexpectedly added to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024. This move came just hours after coach Ronald Koeman claimed he wouldn’t need to fill his full quota of 26 players.
Initially, Zirkzee was part of the Dutch pre-selection but was sidelined due to injury. His chance came again after Brian Brobbey suffered a hamstring scare during training. This incident prompted Koeman to rethink his stance on squad additions.
At a press conference earlier, Koeman stated he wouldn’t replace both Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, who were ruled out with injuries. Instead, he called up only Ian Maatsen, planning to go one player short. However, Brobbey’s injury nudged Koeman to bring Zirkzee back into the fold.
The Dutch football association announced that the uncapped Zirkzee will join the squad on Thursday. His strong performances in Serie A with Bologna have not gone unnoticed, sparking interest from several top European clubs. This inclusion in the national team could further elevate his profile.
Zirkzee’s addition stirred reactions on social media. A tweet from @Oranje_Inside read, “Zirkzee’s return is a boost! His Serie A form could be key for the Dutch attack.” Fans hope his fresh legs and hunger to prove himself will inject new energy into the team.
The Netherlands will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Poland in Hamburg on Sunday. With this last-minute change, the Dutch squad aims to navigate their way through a challenging tournament, counting on the mix of experienced players and new talents like Zirkzee.
Euro 2024 will test the Netherlands, but with Zirkzee’s inclusion, they have a promising forward ready to make his mark.
