Luciano Valente Left Out Again as Xavi Names Netherlands Squad
Feyenoord captain Luciano Valente has once again been omitted from the Netherlands squad, with national-team coach Xavi sticking largely with the group selected during the previous international break. The decision has drawn attention in Rotterdam, particularly as Valente’s teammate Gjivai Zechiël has earned another call-up after making his senior international debut last month.
Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst said he was not surprised to see Valente miss out. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he pointed to the continuity in Xavi’s selections and noted that the midfielder had also been absent from the previous squad.
“It doesn’t surprise me, because he wasn’t there last time either,” Van Bronckhorst said. “I think it’s still almost the same squad that Xavi has called up. So in that respect, no, it doesn’t surprise me.”
Why Zechiël has kept his place
Zechiël, by contrast, has been included again after making a positive impression on his first appearance for the Netherlands. The young midfielder came off the bench during the previous international window and, according to Van Bronckhorst, performed well enough to remain in the coach’s plans.
Asked whether Zechiël deserved his place more than Valente, Van Bronckhorst declined to make a direct comparison. He stressed that squad decisions belong to the national-team coach, while also highlighting the confidence he has in Zechiël despite a more challenging spell at club level.
“That’s up to the national-team coach,” Van Bronckhorst said. “I think Zechiël has had a great spell. He’s finding things a little more difficult now. But he has my confidence and the national-team coach’s.”
The Feyenoord manager added that trust can be important for a player’s development, particularly when performances become less consistent. A call-up can offer encouragement, but it also gives a player the chance to train alongside established internationals and compete for minutes in a different environment.
Van Bronckhorst also pointed to Zechiël’s impact in his previous Netherlands appearances. For a coach assessing a developing player, a strong contribution from the bench can carry weight: it offers evidence of how the player responds to the pace and demands of international football, not just how he performs in domestic competition.
Valente’s omission leaves questions for Feyenoord captain
Valente’s continued absence is likely to fuel discussion among Feyenoord supporters, especially given his leadership role at the club. However, the squad announcement does not necessarily close the door on a future Netherlands call-up. Selection can depend on form, tactical balance, positional competition and the coach’s preference for continuity during a decisive stretch of the campaign.
For Valente, the clearest route back into contention is to keep delivering at club level. Strong performances in the Eredivisie and European competition can strengthen his case, while consistency may be particularly important when the national team is approaching high-stakes fixtures. The captain’s influence for Feyenoord will therefore remain under close scrutiny, even as the Netherlands prepare for their final group matches.
The contrast between Valente and Zechiël also illustrates how international selection can work differently for players at different stages of their careers. A younger midfielder may benefit from a first opportunity and the momentum of a promising debut, while an experienced club leader may need to wait for a change in form, a tactical opening or a shift in the squad’s needs.
Netherlands face decisive Nations League fixtures
The Netherlands have two important UEFA Nations League group-stage matches scheduled for this international window. They are due to host Greece on Friday, 13 November, before travelling to face Germany on Monday, 16 November. The results will determine the final standings in a tightly contested group.
The Dutch are level on points with Greece and currently sit at the top of Group B. Germany are three points behind, leaving all three sides with meaningful stakes as the group reaches its conclusion. The top two teams will advance to next year’s knockout stage, making every point potentially decisive.
That context helps explain why Xavi has retained much of the same squad. In a short international window, continuity can help players maintain tactical understanding and build on combinations developed in previous camps. At the same time, the pressure of the final fixtures gives the selected players a valuable opportunity to establish themselves before the knockout rounds.
Zechiël will be hoping to turn his recent debut into a more substantial role, while Valente will watch from outside the squad and continue working to attract the coach’s attention. Whether either Feyenoord midfielder features prominently in the months ahead will depend on performances at club level and the Netherlands’ evolving needs.
What to watch in the Netherlands squad
For supporters following the selection debate, the key question is not simply whether one player should replace another. It is how Xavi intends to balance experience, form and emerging talent as the Netherlands pursue qualification for the Nations League knockout stage. Zechiël’s return suggests the coach is willing to reward a promising international contribution, while the unchanged core indicates that established options remain central to the plan.
Any football prediction about the Netherlands’ prospects must account for the group’s close standings and the difficulty of facing both Greece and Germany in the same window. The Dutch have the advantage of leading the group, but they cannot afford to treat either match casually. A strong finish would secure progress and provide momentum; dropped points could leave qualification dependent on other results.
For now, Valente’s omission is a reminder that club status alone does not guarantee international selection. Zechiël, meanwhile, has another chance to show that his debut was the beginning of a longer Netherlands career. The coming fixtures will offer a clearer picture of Xavi’s priorities—and of which Feyenoord midfielder can make the strongest case for a regular place.
