Louis van Gaal reveals Holland World Cup squad
Louis van Gaal has announced Holland’s provisional World Cup squad with Robin van Persie named as captain.
The Manchester United striker, who has scored 41 goals in 82 games for his country, was handed the skipper’s armband last August.
Van Gaal, who is set to take over at Old Trafford, has also named Premier League goalkeepers Tim Krul and Michel Vorm – of Newcastle and Swansea respectively – among his 30-man selection.
Van Gaal’s side are expected to play with five defenders, rather than the preferred 4-3-3 system, due to the season-ending injury to key midfielder Kevin Strootman.
The Roma star injured his left knee in March, ruling him out of the tournament in Brazil. Van Gaal said on Tuesday that ‘we do not have another Kevin Strootman in the Netherlands.’
The 62-year-old coach, who is widely expected to be the manager of Manchester United next season, has been experimenting in recent days with a new formation which he says may sound more defensive – but will be executed according to the ‘Dutch school’ of attacking football.
As expected, Bayern Munich wideman Arjen Robben, Galatasaray playmaker Weslkey Sneijder and former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart also make the list.
Leroy Fer, recently relegated with Norwich, and Swansea man Jonathan de Guzamn have been given the nod, too.
Holland were handed a tricky draw for this summer’s tournament and will take on Spain, Chile and Australia in Group B.
HOLLAND PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax Amsterdam), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven)
Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax Amsterdam), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi (all Feyenoord Rotterdam), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Joel Veltman (Ajax Amsterdam)
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)
Strikers: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Quincy Promes (Twente Enschede), Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
—Daily Mail
