RVP IS BACK
Fenerbahce striker Robin van Persie is in line for a recall to the Netherlands national side following a near two-year absence from international football. The 34-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the preliminary squad for the two key World Cup qualifier later next month.
Manager Dick Advocaat had initially pondered retirement following his managerial stint with Fenerbahce, but he was surprisingly offered the Holland job in May in order to salvage their World Cup hopes. The 69-year-old has now named an initial squad of 32 players for qualifiers next month, and he will gauge the performances of Van Persie over the next fortnight.
"I worked with him last season at Fenerbahce where he showed what he could do. Robin is a player we might still need but we'll see in the next weeks how fit he is and if he is playing," he said in a statement released by the Dutch football association.
Van Persie, who is Holland's top-scorer with 50 goals in 101 appearances, last featured in the 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic in a European qualifier back in October 2015. He showed a headed own goal during the game, and he was subsequently dropped from the national squad by Advocaat's predecessor Danny Blind.
Apart from Van Persie, there was also a surprise call-up for Besiktas striker Ryan Babel who was last in the team six years ago. The former Liverpool man has resurrected his career with the Black Eagles for whom he netted eight goals last term, and he will be looking to add to his 43 caps with the nation.
The Netherlands are currently at risk of missing out on their first World Cup since 2002, and this could be considered as a major disaster for a nation which has reached the final and semi-final stage of the global competition in the past two World Cups. Advocaat's side are currently third in their group with 10 points, and they will have to beat one of Sweden or France in the next set of fixtures in order to stand a chance of making the showpiece event next summer.
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At the same time as RVP is getting back into the squad, another of our favourites is just about to make their mark. Manchester City's summer signing Ederson is looking to make his mark on the international stage following maiden call-up to the Brazilian national side. The 23-year-old joined the Citizens from Benfica earlier in the transfer window after the club paid up a sum of £35m for his services.
Ederson made his Premier League debut for Manchester City last weekend in a comfortable 2-0 win over newcomers Brighton and Hove Albion, and he has now been rewarded with the chance to compete for his first international cap.
"I am very happy to have been called up by the national team. It's indeed another achievement in my career and I've worked a lot and very hard for this moment. I believe Brazil has good options for the goalkeeper position and, now, I will go, enjoy and give my best when the squad meets up. I am adjusting really well; the language has been a bit of an issue but I am overcoming it. The team welcomed me really well and they've been helping me. I just have to keep working and giving my best to the team." he told City's official website.
Brazil became the first club to qualify for the World Cup earlier in March, and they could now opt for a rotation policy in order to offer opportunities to the likes of Ederson. The young shot-stopper still has problems adapting to the Premier League due to the language barrier, but he is confident of overcoming his hurdle as he looks to establish himself as a Premier League regular.