Dutch National Coach Louis Van Gaal Unhappy With Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong’s Playing Time at Barcelona

Dutch National Coach Louis Van Gaal Unhappy With Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong’s Playing Time at Barcelona

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM
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  • Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong are part of the Netherlands national team preparing for UEFA Nations League duty
  • Louis van Gaal would be happier if Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong received more game time at Barcelona
  • Barcelona were desperate to sell both Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong in the recent transfer window

Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong’s limited playing time at Barcelona is a concern for Louis van Gaal.

The Netherlands national team manager touched on the matter as the Dutch side prepares to take on Poland and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.

Dutch, National Coach, Louis Van Gaal, Unhappy, Memphis Depay, Frenkie De Jong, Playing Time, Barcelona, Sport, World, Soccer, World Cup, UEFA Nations League
Louis Van Gaal has expressed concern about the amount of game time that Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong are getting at Barcelona. Image: Rene Nijhuis/ Rico Brouwer/ Maurice Van Steen
Source: Getty Images

The duo were at the centre of intense transfer speculations during the recent transfer window. As reported by Fan Nation, Barcelona told Xavi that the sale of Depay and De Jong were a priority in the summer.

Both players were keen to remain in Spain and survived the culling at the club but are currently not regular starters in Xavi’s team.

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Depay has Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Ansu Fati, and Ferran Torres for competition, while de Jong often comes on as a substitute for Barcelona.

As reported by Barca Universal, Van Gaal stated that he would be happier if Depay and De Jong played more often for the Catalan side.

“Many players called me in the transfer window. I always ended every conversation with ‘this is my advice, but you must make your own decision.’ I am happy with the outcome, but I would be happier if Frenkie and Memphis would play more games than they are now,” Van Gaal said.

The coach hopes that Depay and De Jong’s lack of game time will not impact the Netherlands’ upcoming fixtures and their preparations for the World Cup in Qatar.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to sell Manchester United Frenkie De Jong in January after a move to England collapsed in July

The protracted transfer saga involving Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong could be resuscitated in January with the Catalans willing to try and move him on, again.

The 25-year-old proposed move to Manchester United was halfway done in July but a dispute about wages meant he had to stay at Camp Nou. United needed to boost their midfield for the incoming manager Erik Ten Hag

According to 90min, the Blaugrana will try to sell the midfielder who is admired by major European teams, especially Chelsea and Manchester United.

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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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