Voetbralkrant has reported that Marc Degryse has played down Netherlands chances of becoming world champions during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Head coach Louis van Gaal has made it clear in the build-up that he wants to crown Oranje world champions – something that Royal Antwerp striker Vincent Janssen echoed after their 2-0 win against Senegal.
But former Belgian international Degryse believes Netherlands will not be up there as contenders as the competition progresses.
“I don’t see the Dutch becoming world champions – Van Gaal’s ambition – but they do have a squad that can make things difficult for the big countries,” he told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
However, despite dismissing the Dutch national side’s chances of winning the World Cup for the first time, Degryse praised Van Gaal’s handling of Memphis Depay who has been recovering from an injury.
The Barcelona winger suffered a hamstring injury against Poland back in September and made a return to the pitch as a substitute in the second-half.
He added: “They are going to systematically increase his playing time in the hope that he can grow in the tournament.”
GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips
