Ryan Gravenberch Excluded from Netherlands Squads After Rejecting U21 Call-Up

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has not been named in the Netherlands’ provisional senior or U21 squads for the upcoming international fixtures next month, after he chose to remain at the AXA Training Centre in an attempt to settle in at Liverpool instead of meeting up with his Dutch teammates for their U21 Euros qualifiers against Moldova and North Macedonia.

Gravenberch joined the Reds from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day in a £38.5 million move that saw him become the club’s fourth midfield signing of the summer. His country’s U21s boss Michael Reiziger described it as the “wrong choice” to reject the call-up and even hinted that it could impact his inclusion in future squads.

The 21-year-old is yet to be capped for the first team by senior manager Ronald Koeman, despite having made 11 appearances for his country prior to his appointment. His lack of game time at Bayern Munich led to Gravenberch missing out on a place in the Dutch World Cup squad and he has failed to get back into the side since despite having received his first call-up as an 18-year-old back in 2020.

Koeman and Reiziger Unhappy with Gravenberch’s Decision

Reiziger claimed Gravenberch “needs to learn” from his decision, while Koeman added that he too was “not happy” with the refusal. It would not be the first time such a punishment has been deemed appropriate, with defender Jeremie Frimpong excluded from the September squads having himself turned down a previous call-up.

The Netherlands’ October squads are only provisional, but it appears Gravenberch has received the same treatment from the Dutch FA for choosing club over country prior to the last international break.

Gravenberch Making Fast Start to Life at Anfield

Gravenberch made his full debut for the Reds in the Europa League opener away to LASK having come on as a late substitute at Wolves five days earlier. He will be hoping his decision to focus on making a fast start to life at Anfield will pay dividends in the coming weeks as he looks to cement a place in a competitive Liverpool midfield.

Conclusion

Ryan Gravenberch’s decision to reject a call-up for the Netherlands U21 squad has seemingly cost him a place in the senior and U21 squads for October. His country’s managers have expressed their unhappiness with his decision, and it appears he has been punished for choosing club over country. However, he has made a fast start to life at Anfield and will be hoping his decision will pay dividends in the coming weeks as he looks to cement a place in a competitive Liverpool midfield.