Dutch find new strikers to fill Depay gap
Strong performances from
Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee in the Netherlands' opening two games of the
Nations League have eased worries about a lack of depth in the forward areas
over the coming months.
Coach Ronald Koeman said
he was delighted with the performances of the pair in games against Bosnia and
Germany, tempering concerns about who might step in for Memphis Depay if the
30-year-old's club future remained uncertain.
Depay, second on the list
of the Netherlands’ all-time scorers with 46 goals in 98 appearances, has since
signed for Brazilian club Corinthians and will likely be back in contention for
the Dutch once match fit.
Zirkzee, who signed for
Manchester United in July, scored in his first start for the national team on
Saturday when the Dutch opened their Nations League campaign with a 5-2 win
over Bosnia in Eindhoven.
Ajax Amsterdam striker
Brobbey, 22, got his chance to prove himself against Germany and proved a real
handful for their defence in Tuesdays' 2-2 draw in Amsterdam, with his marker
Jonathan Tah taken off at half-time.
"Tah was not
substituted for nothing," said Koeman. "He pulled Brobbey’s shirt
five times and committed a foul each time. Brobbey held him off very well.
"The second goal
also came from Brobbey. I am super satisfied with him. He got his chance, and
it was great that he took it like that. I am glad I chose him. He is fast and
strong."
Zirkzee, 23, did not get
a run out on Tuesday but was also praised by Koeman, who had announced
beforehand that Zirkzee would start the first game and Brobbey the second.
"Joshua is strong
and together with Tijjani Reijnders they formed a good team," said Koeman
on Saturday.
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