On loan Premier League defenders Karim Rekik (Manchester City) and Patrick van Aanholt (Chelsea) headline Louis Van Gaal’s 30-man Netherland World Cup preliminary squad. While the exclusion of Gregory Van der Wiel got the most headlines, the willingness of Van Gaal to give Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart one last go in the side is worthy of discussion. In Van der Vaart’s case, he is having a poor season with Hamburg that has culminated in a two-leg relegation playoff from Bundesliga 1.
With the serious injury to Kevin Strooman, Wesley Sneijder — the former national captain who has been openly critical of the manager — has made a return to the side.
Holland’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven)
Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi (all Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Joel Veltman (Ajax)
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Nigel de Jong (Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: 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)
