Koeman impressed by debutant Dallinga: 'A real striker'

'Thijs made a good impression. During such a week, you try to follow new players and see how they move within a group. But also how they control the ball, how they finish, and I'm very satisfied with that. I thought in a number of moments you could see that he's a real striker, in his movements and finishing,' Koeman spoke at the press conference ahead of Saturday's match against Ireland.

Dallinga, along with Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons, Wout Weghorst, and Calvin Stengs, is one of the six forwards in the Dutch national team's selection. The 23-year-old Toulouse striker is potentially on the eve of his debut in the national team. The career of the Groningen-born player has skyrocketed since his move to Ligue 1. Just a year and a half ago, he was still playing for Excelsior.

Koeman, incidentally, received another setback in his squad on Friday. Lutsharel Geertruida, the sixth defender, dropped out due to an injury he sustained during Thursday's training. The Rotterdam native has since left the Dutch national team's training camp.