# Frenkie de Jong Returns: Will Joey Veerman Retain His Oranje Spot? Coach Xavi faces a tactical dilemma as De Jong rejoins the Dutch national squad. - **Source:** [NOS Sport](https://nos.nl/sport) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bec43be7-c2a3-4d57-b146-33b893386783 ## Midfield Selection Dilemma The Dutch national team gathers in Zeist today for upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Germany. Coach Xavi must decide whether to pair Frenkie de Jong and Joey Veerman in a double-pivot formation or choose one over the other. Both players traditionally occupy the same central defensive midfield role. ## Veerman's Recent Resurgence Joey Veerman has become a key figure under Xavi, starting three consecutive matches in the previous international window. His performance as a number six provided stability for the defense. Furthermore, his consistent form at Borussia Dortmund, where he played ninety minutes against Elversberg, has solidified his current standing within the squad. ## Tactical Praise in Dortmund Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac recently praised Veerman for his simplicity and rapid decision-making on the pitch. Kovac highlighted how Veerman positions himself effectively to distribute the ball across the field. This tactical discipline has made him an essential component of the German club's current setup during his recent starting streak. ## Historical Tactical Constraints Under former coach Ronald Koeman, the combination of De Jong and Veerman was rarely utilized. They shared the pitch for only a brief period during Veerman's debut against Italy in June 2023. Since then, Veerman was primarily viewed as a direct replacement for De Jong rather than a potential partner in midfield. ## De Jong's Return to Fitness Frenkie de Jong returns to the national team after a lengthy absence caused by a knee injury sustained during the World Cup. Having made his comeback for FC Barcelona in late October, the 70-cap international brings significant experience. Xavi has previously identified him as a crucial player for his specific attacking philosophy. ## Barcelona's Tactical Flexibility At FC Barcelona, Hansi Flick has deployed De Jong in various unconventional roles, including as a defender and a right-back, due to squad injuries. While this versatility has been praised by Flick, it remains unclear if Xavi intends to utilize De Jong in similar hybrid roles or strictly as a central midfielder. ## Upcoming Nations League Fixtures The Netherlands faces Greece on November 13 and Germany on November 16. These matches serve as the testing ground for Xavi’s tactical experiments. Fans can follow the team's preparation and the official press conference via NOS livestreams, which will provide insight into the final lineup decisions for these critical international encounters. ## Strategic Outlook for Oranje The decision to start both players or rotate them will define the team's balance for the upcoming period. While Veerman has proven his worth in the number six role, De Jong’s return offers a different tactical dimension. Xavi’s choice will signal his long-term vision for the Dutch midfield structure moving forward. ## Sources covering this story - https://nos.nl/l/2638663 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._