Cody Gakpo to stay with Netherlands squad after loss of unborn son
Quick summary
Cody Gakpo has decided to remain with the Netherlands World Cup squad in Qatar after his partner suffered a late miscarriage and the couple lost their unborn son.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCody Gakpo will stay with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup following the loss of his unborn son.
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What happened
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Elzen, confirmed the loss of their unborn son after she went into early labor. Despite the tragedy, Gakpo will continue with the Netherlands squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Dutch forward has been a key performer at the tournament, scoring in each of the group-stage matches against Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar. The Netherlands are set to face the USA in the round of 16, with Gakpo's availability a major boost to Louis van Gaal's side.
Chance analysis
Gakpo's form at the World Cup had made him one of the breakout stars of the tournament, drawing praise from scouts and clubs across Europe. His decision to stay with the squad signals both personal resilience and squad solidarity, but raises questions about his emotional readiness for the knockout stage. From a football decision-making standpoint, his likely involvement against the USA remains probable, though the team may manage his minutes carefully given the circumstances.
Gakpo's availability is preserved for the Netherlands' round-of-16 clash with USA, though his performance level may be affected by the personal tragedy.
Expect Gakpo to still feature for the Netherlands vs USA, but account for possible emotional fatigue or reduced sharpness in projections.