Frenkie de Jong Returns to the Netherlands Squad as Xavi Builds Toward Euro 2028
Frenkie de Jong is back with the Netherlands national team for the first time since the World Cup, bringing experience, calmness and a fresh perspective to a squad preparing for demanding Nations League fixtures against Greece and Germany. The FC Barcelona midfielder, who recently reached 300 appearances for the Catalan club, is also set to take on the role of stand-in captain while Virgil van Dijk is unavailable.
Speaking in Zeist, De Jong discussed the Netherlands’ evolving style under coach Xavi Hernández, the team’s ambitions for Euro 2028 and the challenge of leading without trying to imitate one of the country’s most influential defenders. His return gives the Dutch another established voice as they continue to shape a side capable of competing with Europe’s strongest teams.
De Jong sees clear patterns in Xavi’s approach
Although De Jong missed the previous international break, he followed the Netherlands’ matches from home as his teammates collected eight points in the Nations League. Xavi was a new coach for most of the squad, but not for De Jong: the midfielder played 107 official matches under him at Barcelona.
From what he saw on television, De Jong could already identify the ideas Xavi wants the team to apply. “You could clearly see what they had worked on in training and what had been discussed,” he explained, while noting that the details can change depending on the opposition.
The broad plan, however, is familiar. Xavi wants the Netherlands to press high, build patiently from the back and create chances by moving the ball intelligently. A key part of that process is finding numerical advantages in different areas of the pitch—using coordinated movement and passing options to help the team progress through pressure.
De Jong believes those principles fit the qualities available in the current squad. The Netherlands have traditionally aimed to control matches, but their pressing intensity has varied under different coaches. For him, the central question is not simply whether the team wants possession, but how it uses the ball and applies pressure to dominate a game.
Euro 2028 remains the long-term target
The Netherlands have a promising blend of pace, physical strength and technical ability, according to De Jong. But talent alone will not be enough. The players must become comfortable with the coach’s demands, apply them consistently and develop a shared understanding of when to press, when to keep possession and how to exploit space.
That process takes time, and De Jong sees room for significant improvement. He considers that a normal part of building a team rather than a reason for concern. The priority is to make steady progress toward the European Championship in 2028, where the Netherlands will hope to challenge for the title.
De Jong was also realistic about the distance between potential and achievement. He pointed to the team’s early exit at the most recent World Cup, describing that tournament as a reminder that the Netherlands are not yet close enough to assume they can win a major competition. The ambition is to grow into a serious contender, but the squad still has work to do before it can match Europe’s leading sides over the course of a tournament.
That assessment provides useful context for any football prediction about the Netherlands’ prospects. The team has the individual quality to compete, but tournament success depends on more than a strong starting eleven. Consistency, defensive organisation, fitness and the ability to respond under pressure will all matter. Upcoming Nations League games offer a chance to test those qualities, though they are only part of a longer development process.
De Jong does not believe the Netherlands must necessarily adopt a five-defender system to succeed. The formation is ultimately the coach’s decision, he said, but the approach he has seen so far does not suggest that Xavi is likely to make a back five the team’s default structure. The emphasis appears to be on proactive football, with the shape adapting to the demands of each match.
Stand-in captaincy brings honour and responsibility
With Van Dijk absent, De Jong will captain the Netherlands during the international window. He described the appointment as a major honour, particularly because representing the national team is already one of the highest achievements in a player’s career.
However, he has no intention of copying Van Dijk’s highly vocal leadership style. The Liverpool defender is known for organising the team from the back, where he can see the entire pitch and communicate with players across the formation. De Jong recognises that the squad will miss that presence, but believes leadership should suit the individual.
“There are different ways to be involved and to lead a team,” he said in effect, explaining that he remains engaged throughout matches and speaks up when he has something useful to communicate. He does not expect to shout constantly, nor does he think it would be effective to imitate Van Dijk simply because the captain is absent.
De Jong sees his own style as somewhere between Van Dijk’s commanding presence and Lionel Messi’s quieter influence. For a midfielder, leadership can come through more than instructions: setting the tempo, offering passing options, helping teammates escape pressure and making intelligent decisions can all shape how a team performs.
Fresh faces add depth to the Dutch squad
De Jong also welcomed the arrival of new internationals Gjivai Zechiël, Mexx Meerdink and Ruben van Bommel. Although he was not part of the previous camp, he watched their performances and said they made a positive impression. Their talent is evident, he added, but attitude and willingness to meet the demands of international football are just as important.
The midfielder expects the Eredivisie to continue producing players who could eventually progress into the national squad. Dutch football has often developed talent in waves, and new players will emerge as they gain experience at club level. De Jong chose not to identify specific future candidates, preferring to let their performances determine whether they are ready for the next step.
The Netherlands’ schedule begins with a home meeting against Greece at the Johan Cruyff Arena, followed by a trip to Berlin to face Germany at the Olympiastadion. The fixtures will provide Xavi with valuable opportunities to assess his ideas against different styles of opposition—and give De Jong a chance to contribute both as a senior midfielder and as captain.
For Dutch supporters, the return of a player with De Jong’s experience is an encouraging development. His comments suggest a team with clear ambitions but a measured view of what is required to reach them. The immediate prediction for the Netherlands will depend on how quickly Xavi’s principles take hold, but the broader objective is clear: build a cohesive, confident side capable of turning potential into a genuine Euro 2028 challenge.
