Frenkie de Jong has been cautioned by Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal that he risked losing his spot in the team for the upcoming World Cup.
The Barcelona star must demonstrate his fitness, according to Van Gaal, in order to be selected for the Dutch team.
Van Gaal had earlier expressed displeasure at the midfielder’s decision to remain at Barcelona despite keen interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Van Gaal admits that De Jong is essential to the kind of play he wants to employ since the former Barcelona midfielder is the only one who can successfully counter an opponent’s push from the base of the midfield.
Van Gaal said he will give the midfielder as much time as possible to demonstrate his fitness but issued a warning to the midfielder that if he is unable to, he will find another player to take his place.
Van Gaal told reporters, “I have let go of that ideology [only selecting players who play for their club] for a long time, or I would not have selected Steven Bergwijn, for example.
“Two very significant players have left the team, Memphis and De Jong. They have received my encouragement: I’ll keep a spot for you for as long as I can. Free, but you must be in shape.
“It definitely applies to the World Cup that the Dutch national team is not a rehabilitation facility. But I have to believe that they are capable of saying that.
We need to be ready, so I try to be complementary to De Jong while also seeing if I can find someone else to do it. A hamstring injury can go in any direction.
