Dutch legends Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten have claimed that Frenkie de Jong needs to do add more depth and up his game for Barcelona.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport as relayed by Tribal Football, Dutch footballing legends Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten have given their thoughts on Barcelona and Netherlands midfield mainstay, Frenkie de Jong.
The 24-year-old arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2019 from boyhood club AFC Ajax and has quickly developed into a key player at Camp Nou. Be it under Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien or Ronald Koeman, de Jong has done well, particularly improving his game over the past year.
To date, de Jong has made 99 appearances for Barcelona, scoring nine goals and setting up 14 more. While he has looked good in bursts this season, compatriots and footballing legends Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten have claimed that the ex-Ajax prodigy needs to be doing more.
Gullit said: “I think Frenkie de Jong is a great player, but I just want to see more of him. He’s too protected. If he does not play well, it is because he does not play in his position. Well, whatever position he plays in midfield, he didn’t play well. He must always give something more.”
Van Basten, meanwhile, urged de Jong to add ‘more depth’ to his game, saying: “And you don’t see that enough. In transition, with the general vision that he has, from time to time he has to send a deep ball. That’s what bothers me a bit.”
De Jong missed Barcelona’s last game against Levante, as they cruised to a 3-0 win to bring an end to a three-game winless streak. In his absence, the young duo of Nico Gonzalez and Gavi started in midfield for the Blaugrana and ensured that the 24-year-old was not missed with accomplished displays in the middle of the park.
The result helped Barcelona alleviate some pressure after a run of disappointing displays and results. And even though de Jong was not part of the side at the weekend, the 24-year-old Netherlands international will have a crucial role to play for the rest of the season if the Catalans are to achieve some success.
