Ronald Koeman warns Memphis over fitness for World Cup selection | OneFootball

Ronald Koeman has warned that Memphis must be in top physical condition to make the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, as the Corinthians forward’s participation remains uncertain while he recovers from a grade two right thigh injury.

According to Meu Timao, the head coach said the striker needs to be at his best to add value and that he briefly spoke to him after a visit to national team training.

Koeman noted Memphis is not yet ready because he is not playing, and with eight weeks until the final squad is named in Zeist at the end of May, it is a case of wait and see. He felt the forward was positive about the coming period and not easily fazed.

The forward suffered the injury in Corinthians’ draw with Flamengo and was removed from the Netherlands’ initial call-up. He began rehab in Europe and is expected to continue it at CT Dr Joaquim Grava after the international window.

Koeman pushed back on Wim Kieft’s view that a fully fit Memphis could approach the level of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, calling the comparison exaggerated. He said Memphis is valuable to the team but injuries have held him back, adding that Ronaldo and Messi are on a different level.

This is Memphis’s seventh medical issue since joining Corinthians. He has one goal and one assist in 12 outings. He will miss Wednesday’s trip to Fluminense at 21:30 at the Maracanã in the ninth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Source: Meu Timao