Netherlands Euro 2024 squad: Chelsea man set for debut but Jurrien Timber left out

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been left out of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.

The 22-year-old has 15 caps for the Oranje but has not made the cut after Ronald Koeman’s preliminary squad was announced on Thursday, having missed almost the entire season through injury.

A serious knee injury suffered on the opening weekend of the Premier League season led to several months out for Timber, who is eyeing a return to the Arsenal bench for the final game against Everton on Sunday.

The Netherlands have until June 7 to declare their final squad for the summer tournament in Germany but appear to have erred on the side of caution with regard to Timber’s injury. However, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is selected despite a month out with an ankle issue.

The defender’s absence has helped pave the way for Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen, currently on loan with Borussia Dortmund, to make the squad.

Yet to make his debut, he has been called up to previous Netherlands camps and will hope to feature in the warm-up friendly against Canada before the final cut. The Dutch also face Iceland before kicking off at the Euros against Poland on June 16.

The Premier League is well-represented in the 30-player list with Mark Flekken, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Cody Gakpo, Bart Verbruggen and Ryan Gravenberch all included along with Jurrien Timber’s brother, Quinten, who players for Feyenoord.

Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is a surprise omission while highly-rated Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, 18, made his debut last year but misses out.

Full preliminary Netherlands Euro 2024 squad

GK: Bijlow, Flekken, Olij, Verbruggen

DEF: Ake, Blind, Van Dijk, Dumfries, Frimpong, Geertruida, De Ligt, Maatsen, Van de Ven, De Vrij

MID: Gravenberch, De Jong, Koopmeiners, Reijnders, De Roon, Schouten, Simons, Timber, Veerman, Wijnaldum

ATT: Bergwijn, Brobbey, Depay, Gakpo, Malen, Weghorst