Frenkie de Jong ready for Netherlands comeback after 433 days

The Dutch national team prepare to take on the final two rounds of the Nations League group stages, as they look to secure their place in the quarter-finals. With four games down, the situation in Group A3 is tight. Netherlands sit in second with five points, though they could still finish the group stages in bottom-place. The games against Hungary, on Saturday, and Bosnia on Tuesday will be crucial in their bids to make it through the next round.

Ahead of the clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Hungary are level on points with the Netherlands, with their last meeting ending in a 1-1 stalemate. However, the 'Oranje' will have Frenkie de Jong back for the home-tie. The Barcelona midfielder is back for his national team after a 433-day absence. His last game was on the 10th of September 2023 in a Euros qualifier between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Dublin, which the visitors ended up winning by 2-1. Just a few weeks later, against Celta Vigo, he suffered the first of his three ankle injuries, which have kept him out of international football until now.

De Jong returned to Barca for the game against Rayo Vallecano on 25th November 2023, almost a year ago now. The Dutchman thought he had rediscovered consistency, however in early March, playing at San Mames against Athletic Bilbao, he sprained his ankle and sidelined for another month. He reappeared against PSG in the Champions League, as played the both legs, however misery struck again as he injured the same ankle in the ‘Clasico’ on April 21st 2023.

That day, De Jong was forced off the pitch at the 52nd minute following a challenge with Real Madrid's Federico Valverde. He sustained a severe grade two sprain in his right ankle. Although his absence was only supposed to be 5-6 weeks long, the 27-year-old ended up being out of action for over five months, missing out on the Euros with the Netherlands last summer as Koeman's men were knocked out by England in the semi-finals.

After being on the sidelines through preseason, the former Ajax player made his comeback for Barca on October 1st. He featured in the last 15 minutes of the Champions League clash against Young Boys, though he had to wait over a month before making his return to the starting lineup. With just two starts for the 'Azulgrana' - against Red Star Belgrade and Real Sociedad - Koeman considers the Dutchman ready to get back to action with the ‘Oranje’ in Amsterdam on Saturday.

 

November 16, 2024