Memphis Depay was taken off early in Corinthians' Serie A game against Flamengo, reportedly due to discomfort in his thigh. The Netherlands' all-time top scorer had already been dealing with a knee injury, but was called up for Oranje's friendlies anyway.
After his latest injury, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman isn't optimistic about Depay's chances of playing for the Netherlands this month.
"He might still join us, but it doesn’t look good. We might bring him in later, perhaps for the second match. But if that’s not feasible, then there’s no need."
Donyell Malen is arguably the most in-form Dutch striker at the moment, scoring 7 goals in the last 9 games for AS Roma. Koeman wouldn't stick to one position for the Aston Villa loanee, however.
"I already knew he was very good as a striker; that’s how he made his debut under me. At the time, he was playing up front for PSV. He’s quick and a good finisher. But he’s also shown us that he can fill the role on the right wing very well. So those are the two positions he needs to focus on."
With Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Wout Weghorst still in the squad, Koeman confirmed he won't call up a replacement if Depay drops out of the squad: "I wouldn't know who (to call up). The strikers on the list are well known. But they might not be as fit as I would like them to be."
'He's making fantastic progress'
Who Koeman is optimistic about is Kees Smit. The 20-year-old AZ talent received his maiden call-up last week, and Koeman is eager to watch the young midfielder work after having watched him for a while.
"I’d like to see him in the match too. I’ve given it some thought before. This is the final international break before we have to make our final squad, so I want to see him with the group. I’d advise him to keep his eyes and ears open, be happy, and show it. And just be himself. He seems like that sort of person to me. It’s nerve-wracking for him, so we’ll see how he holds his own."
Noa Lang, who suffered a freak thumb injury during last week's UEFA Champions League game with Galatasaray against Liverpool, has also been called up, but Koeman will be cautious with the winger: "We’ll see how it goes. He’ll have to wait and see, too."
West Ham standout Crystencio Summerville has been on Koeman's list for a while, too. The winger has featured in the preliminary squad before, and without having played a game for Oranje yet, Koeman knows what he's got in Summerville.
"He was set to be called up for this international break. If he stays fit, I see him more as a squad player than the young prospects we’ve given a chance in the past. He also plays in a position – on the right – where we don’t have much depth. And based on our assessment, he’s making fantastic progress."
The Netherlands play friendlies against Norway on March 27th and Ecuador on March 31st.