Memphis Depay’s second-degree muscle injury to his right thigh has serendipitously created a significant opportunity for Donyell Malen. With the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer sidelined, the Roma forward could become the primary choice to lead the Oranje attack. However, national team coach Ronald Koeman also acknowledged Brian Brobbey’s strong performances, indicating a potential competition for the starting spot.
Malen, who joined Roma on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, has proven to be an exceptional acquisition, netting 8 goals in just 12 matches. These remarkable statistics for the 24-year-old Dutch striker have solidified his position. When asked about calling up a replacement for Depay, Koeman dismissed the idea, stating he wouldn’t know who to call, thereby confirming his intent to rely on the current squad for the upcoming fixtures against Norway and Ecuador.
Koeman expressed strong confidence in Malen, explaining: “Donyell is incredibly fast and a skilled finisher, making him highly suited for the central striker role. I was already aware of this, as I debuted him for the national team specifically as a striker when he was still at PSV.” The coach also highlighted Malen’s versatility: “With us, he has also shown he can perform very effectively starting from the right flank, even with significant freedom. The most crucial aspect is his consistent playing time. His transfer has proven to be a fortunate choice: he is now accumulating more minutes and playing full matches, which is vital for his development.”
