Robin van Persie left out by Netherlands coach Danny Blind
Monday 2 November 2015 14:24, UK
Netherlands coach Danny Blind has left Robin van Persie out of his provisional 23-man squad for two upcoming friendlies - but says his omission does not mean the end of the 11-year international career of the nation's all-time top scorer.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester United star has scored 50 goals in 101 internationals, but now looks like he could become the first major casualty of a rebuilding process sparked after the Netherlands ignominious failure to qualify for next year's European Championship.
Blind said he did not think Van Persie was "playing well" for his Turkish club Fenerbahce, but added that he could still be called up in the future if he returns to full fitness.
Van Persie had an eventful night in the the final European qualifier; coming on as a 38th-minute substitute against the Czech Republic he scored an own goal before scoring later on in a 3-2 defeat, the result meaning that the Dutch did not qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 2002.
Memphis Depay is another notable omission, Blind having questioned the Manchester United star's attitude, saying: "In football you must function in a team. He doesn't always do that."
There are three Southampton players in the squad - Maarten Stekelenburg, Jordy Clasie and Virgil van Dijk - and Newcastle provide two players, Georginio Wijnaldum and Daryl Janmaat.
The Dutch, who have no competitive matches until the World Cup qualifiers start next year, play Wales in Cardiff on November 13 before travelling to Germany four days later. They will play England in a friendly on March 29 next year.
Netherlands squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Maarten Stekelenburg (Southampton), Kenneth Vermeer, Jeroen Zoet (PSV).
Defenders: Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (Marseille), Jairo Riedewald (Ajax), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Joel Veltman (Ajax).
Midfielders: Daley Blind (Manchester United), Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United), Jordy Clasie (Southampton), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Marko Vejinovic (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United).
Attackers: Bas Dost (Wolfsburg), Eljero Elia (Feyenoord), Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).
