Holland have reacted to their elimination for Euro 2016 by dropping the Manchester United winger Memphis Depay and their former title-winning striker Robin van Persie.
Depay’s star is suddenly in decline after losing the confidence of Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and the current coach of the national team, Danny Blind.
Blind, who has named the squad for the coming friendly with Wales, said of Depay: “I think Depay is a player for the future but there are other issues to look at. Perhaps Louis van Gaal has also said something. In football you must function in a team. He doesn’t always do that. That’s something he has to learn.”
Depay’s chance is likely to come again but for Van Persie, Holland’s all-time top scorer with 50 goals in 101 games, his days at the highest level appear to be numbered for the Fenerbahce striker at the age of 32.
“I don’t think he’s playing well [for his club],” said Blind, adding that Van Persie could still be called up in the future if he returns to full fitness.
The Dutch have no competitive matches until the World Cup qualifiers start next year. They finished third at the 2014 World Cup finals when Van Persie was captain but failed to qualify for Euro 2016 after finishing fourth in their group behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.
They play Wales in Cardiff on 13 November and Germany in Hanover four days later.
