Soccer-De Jong’s influence means guaranteed spot in Dutch squad

FILE PHOTO: Headshot - Netherlands - Frenkie de Jong/File Photo

(Reuters) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is reserving an automatic place for only two players in his World Cup squad in a strict selection regime where match fitness is a major criteria.

One is forward Memphis Depay and the other his Barcelona team mate Frenkie de Jong, whose minutes in action for the Catalan giants have fallen sharply this season but for whom Van Gaal says he will bend his own usually iron-clad rule.