Where would Barcelona be with out Frenkie de Jong?

The Dutchman has been important for Barcelona

Good vibes are again in Barcelona going into the World Cup.

After a deflating October highlighted by a dull loss to Real Madrid, the Catalans have turned issues round and discover themselves in first place going into the break.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season through which early setbacks have raised questions concerning the nice comeback many anticipated beneath Xavi.

Bad luck appeared to strike once more when Barcelona have been paired with Manchester United within the Europa League draw.

But then once more, for a crew with one thing to show, possibly that is precisely what Xavi and his males wanted.

None extra so than Frenkie de Jong, who can have an opportunity to guide Barcelona towards a high-profile opponent who has been eager to steal him away.

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Let’s degree set for a second.

What was actually happening behind the scenes final summer season with Frenkie?

Did Xavi actually see the Dutchman as disposable?

Whether it was for sporting causes, or just out of desperation to decrease the wage invoice, the supervisor and the president bought this evaluation mistaken.

Frenkie deserves respect for staying calm and drama free, strolling the stroll, and exhibiting his crew and the remainder of the world his worth.

During the preseason, he was used completely as a center-back, presumably to strain him into contemplating the provide from Manchester United.

On matchday one, as Barcelona dropped factors after struggling to interrupt down Rayo Vallecano, Frenkie began on the bench.

Eventually, Xavi got here round and has used Frenkie often, and in a wide range of positions.

Against Osasuna, Frenkie dropped to the backline within the dying minutes, and delivered a sensational ball excessive to Raphinha, to safe a significant come from behind victory.

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This is what he does. Regardless of the place you play him in, Frenkie breaks strains, and makes the crew extra dynamic.

A yr in the past, when Barcelona skilled an damage disaster with their forwards, he made himself right into a pseudo striker and located methods to interrupt into the field to attain targets.

As a field to field, he’s the one midfielder you’ll be able to rely on to hold the ball ahead via the midfield, disorienting defenders alongside the way in which.

Although Xavi nonetheless can’t transfer previous Sergio Busquets, Frenkie has proven, when given the possibility, he can play as a pivot in his personal distinctive approach, and provide one thing completely different.

Tuesday was one other reminder that he’s additionally a succesful central defender. It’s shocking that with all of the accidents, Xavi hasn’t used this feature extra typically, particularly contemplating how a lot he experimented with it over the summer season.

Frenkie de Jong is a whole footballer.

His expertise, intelligence, and flexibility, make him a one among a sort asset.

With the Dutch nationwide crew, we’ll in all probability see one other model of him, in a really completely different system, however nonetheless a frontrunner who will carry them deep into the match.

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Going into the winter switch window, hopefully Xavi and firm drop any consideration of promoting Frenkie, and construct round him as an alternative.

With all the present captains more likely to be passed by the top of the season, Frenkie ought to be subsequent as much as put on the armband, as a result of he’s an instance of what this nice membership is all about. He takes on any problem on any given day, performs lovely soccer, and finds a approach to assist the crew win.

Barcelona are fortunate to have him, and will respect his dedication despite the rocky years he’s performed via.

If they’re to win the league title this yr, Xavi must do a greater job along with his participant choice, particularly in essentially the most consequential video games.

From what we’ve seen to this point, enjoying Frenkie because the common defensive midfielder is necessary for short-term success, but in addition to resolve whether or not it’s a long-term resolution, or if new funding is required there.

Photo by Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

If Xavi has different concepts, so be it, as long as Frenkie is on the sector.

Barcelona is solely not the identical crew with out him, and so they might want to hit the bottom working when the season resumes. They ought to take nothing without any consideration, and be clear-eyed about which gamers make them essentially the most aggressive.

Every level counts, and because of Frenkie, Barcelona are on prime, and that’s the place they should keep.

Time to offer him the respect he deserves.

Source – www.barcablaugranes.com