Georginio Wijnaldum, Donny van de Beek and Steven Bergwijn have been handed Netherlands international call-ups despite the ongoing concerns regarding current coronavirus protocols.
The upcoming international break is stirring up plenty of controversy due to the detrimental impact it could have on club football, with it possible that any players travelling abroad will have to quarantine for 10 days upon returning to their teams in Europe's five major leagues.
Frank de Boer's preparations for the Netherlands' latest World Cup qualifying campaign don't appear to have been affected, though, with the head coach naming Liverpool's Wijnaldum, Manchester United midfielder Van de Beek and Tottenham attacker Bergwijn in his preliminary squad on Monday.
What's been said?
De Boer says his final selection was based on having to omit several younger players so that they can play for the Netherlands' U21 side at the European Under-21 Championship, which is due to kick off on March 24.
“For the development of young players, it is good to play matches at a final tournament," he said in an official press release.
"For that reason, I have not included a number of boys in our preliminary selection, so that they can experience the European Championship with the Dutch juniors.
"Of course the first team is always leading, but where possible we naturally want take other teams into account. ”
Premier League managers' stance on internationals
Last week, Jurgen Klopp insisted that allowing his players to link up with their countries in the Covid-19 climate isn't feasible amid the shortened 2020-21 fixture schedule.
“I think FIFA was kind of clear that we don’t have to let the players go this time, and I think all the clubs agree that with the same problems we cannot just let the boys go. It is just not possible," said the Liverpool boss.
“I understand the need of the different FAs but this is a time where we cannot make everyone happy and we have to admit the players are paid by the clubs, so that means we have to be first priority."
Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho echoed Klopp's sentiments, telling reporters: "In this moment, I want to see what is going to happen.
"I know little things; I know Portugal will play in Turin, I know Norway will play in Spain. I don't know much. Of course, the clubs have the right to protect themselves, because Jurgen is right: the clubs pay the players."
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Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, was equally flabbergasted at the prospect of losing star player Bruno Fernandes at a crucial stage of the season so he can be with Portugal for over two weeks.
"It doesn't make sense if you lose your player for 10 days of isolation, of course, it doesn't," said Solskjaer.
"I want Bruno of course, ready against Brighton and hopefully that we are through in Europe and against Tottenham after that break, of course I do."
How many games will the Netherlands play this month?
The Netherlands were drawn in Group G in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, alongside Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar.
De Boer's side will kick off their campaign against Turkey on March 24 before facing Latvia and Gibraltar, with only three days' space between each fixture.
The Netherlands preliminary squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (AZ), Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Joel Drommel (FC Twente), Tim Krul (Norwich City), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)
Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Daley Blind (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (PSV), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Jeremiah St Juste (Mainz), Kenny Tete (Fulham), Joel Veltman (Brighton), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Owen Wijndal (AZ)
Midfielders: Donny van de Beek (Manchester United), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kevin Strootman (Genoa), Tonny Vilhena (Krasnodar), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Galatasaray), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham), Memphis Depay (Lyon), Luuk de Jong (Sevilla), Donyell Malen (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Calvin Stengs (AZ), Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg).
