Koeman Omits In-Form Striker Zirkzee from Netherlands’ EURO 2024 Squad, Fueling Super Eagles Eligibility Debate
In a surprising move, former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has excluded in-form striker Joshua Zirkzee from his preliminary Netherlands squad for the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament.
Zirkzee, who is eligible to represent the Nigeria Super Eagles through his mother, has been a standout performer for Bologna in Serie A this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 4 assists to help the club secure a historic top-four finish.
Despite his impressive form, the 22-year-old has been left out of Koeman’s 30-man party for the European Championship. This decision has raised further questions about Zirkzee’s international future, as he had previously hinted that he could consider playing for the Super Eagles if the Netherlands do not select him.
“Choosing Nigeria? It’s not easy to say. If the Netherlands aren’t calling, then I’ll choose Nigeria,” Zirkzee remarked earlier this year, acknowledging the fierce competition in both squads.
Born in Schiedam to a Dutch father, Zirkzee has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels but is yet to earn a senior cap for the Oranje. His omission from Koeman’s squad is particularly noteworthy given the Netherlands’ search for a consistent goalscorer in their national team setup.
The Netherlands Football Federation is reportedly considering appointing Sarina Wiegman, the current England women’s national team coach, to replace Koeman as the new Oranje manager. This change in leadership could potentially open the door for Zirkzee to be reconsidered for the national team in the future.
With the player’s Nigeria eligibility still in play, the decision by Koeman to exclude Zirkzee from the EURO 2024 squad has added another layer of intrigue to the young striker’s international career. As he continues to impress at the club level, the battle for his services between the Netherlands and Nigeria is likely to intensify in the coming months.
