Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong called up for Netherlands upcoming games by new head coach, Koeman

In preparation for their next matches against France and Gibraltar, Frenkie de Jong has been called up by new Netherlands NT coach Ronald Koeman.

In announcing his team for the European Championship qualifying matches against Gibraltar in Rotterdam on March 27 and France in Paris next Friday, new Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman chose five uncapped players in his first roster.

Lutsharel Geertruida and Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord, along with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen of Anderlecht, will make their team debuts.

Sven Botman of Newcastle United and Brian Brobbey of bulky Ajax Amsterdam have both been called up but are still waiting to make their international debuts.

Moreover, former captain Georginio Wijnaldum and goalie Jasper Cillessen are making their comebacks during these games.

While his status was in question since he wasn't a regular first-team starter at Paris St. Germain, the 32-year-old Wijnaldum, who has 86 caps, is back after breaking his leg in August and missing the World Cup in Qatar. He's now on loan at AS Roma.

33-year-old Cillessen, who has 63 caps, was unexpectedly removed from the World Cup team last year by Koeman's predecessor Louis van Gaal, who took over on January 1.

Both Teun Koopmeiners, a midfielder who now resides in Italy, and Andries Noppert, the Dutch goalkeeper who was in Qatar despite not having any prior caps, are forced to withdraw due to injuries.

Koeman has demoted Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij at center defense because he was unable to hold onto a spot in the first squad.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (NEC Nijmegen), Mark Flekken (Freiburg), Bart Verbruggen (Anderlecht)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Bayern Munich), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jurrien Timber (Ajax Amsterdam), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Steven Berghuis (Ajax Amsterdam), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor (both Ajax Amsterdam), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (AS Roma)

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey (both Ajax Amsterdam), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Xavi Simons (PSV Eindhoven) Wout Weghorst (Manchester United).