Van Dijk to hold talks with Xavi over Netherlands future
The Liverpool captain will speak with the newly appointed Netherlands manager before determining whether to continue at international level, with a decision to follow the meeting.
Virgil van Dijk will speak with newly appointed Netherlands head coach Xavi before deciding whether to continue his international career, it was reported on Monday.
James Pearce says the Liverpool captain intends to make his call after that conversation, having indicated he will weigh up whether he still feels sufficiently valued in the national set-up. The report adds that the meeting with Xavi is expected to precede any announcement on Van Dijk’s future with the Oranje.
The development makes clear that no final decision has yet been taken. A timeframe for the talks was not specified, and there is no suggestion of a predetermined outcome. Any decision would relate only to Van Dijk’s status with the Netherlands and would not affect his club availability for Liverpool.
Xavi’s recent appointment gives the new coach an early chance to set out his plans and expectations directly to senior players. A constructive exchange could inform how Van Dijk views his role and influence in the squad under the new regime, while a different reading of the conversation could point him towards stepping away from international duty.
Beyond the fact of the planned talks, further details such as when and where the meeting will take place or when a decision will be communicated were not disclosed in the report. The situation bears watching in the coming days as the Netherlands and their captain establish the next steps.