Ronald Koeman, the Dutch national team coach, has issued a cautionary note regarding Stefan de Vrij and his prospects for the FIFA World Cup.
In an interview with ESPN, highlighted by FCInterNews, the former Barcelona manager reflected on De Vrij’s minimal playing time at Inter Milan.
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Despite being a long-standing member of the team, Stefan de Vrij has found himself on the sidelines this season.
At 34 years old, he has only featured in seven Serie A matches.
De Vrij’s position in the team has diminished under Cristian Chivu, with Yann Bisseck and Francesco Acerbi currently ahead of him in the defensive hierarchy.
As a result, it’s no surprise that the 20-time Italian champions are hesitant to offer him a contract extension.
His current agreement ends in June, and it’s anticipated that the former Lazio player will part ways with the club this summer.
Nonetheless, he remains hopeful of representing his country in the upcoming World Cup.
Koeman’s team has already secured qualification for the prestigious tournament.
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Koeman Alerts De Vrij About World Cup Opportunities
“We have intense competition among defenders,” Koeman said. “Matthijs de Ligt is injured, Stefan isn’t getting much game time, and thankfully Nathan Aké has returned to action with Manchester City.”
When asked about De Vrij’s role on the national team, Koeman noted, “Playing time is important, but it’s not my only criterion. I also consider the personalities and experience of the players. All of that works in his favor.”
“These players feel the urge to play, but I prioritize a reliable group that I trust,” he continued. “We’re familiar with each other, and from a quality perspective, they remain integral to the Dutch national team. However, they must participate in matches.”
With fierce competition for places, De Vrij is likely eager to secure regular minutes in the final stretch of the season.