BARCELONA, 8 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Former FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman assured this Friday that Frenkie de Jong “wants to stay” in the Barça team and that in order to improve the current squad “you don’t have to sell players” like the Dutchman.
“I know Frenkie’s situation, he wants to stay. Barça always stays with the best and signs the best, but to improve you don’t have to sell players like De Jong. His intention is to continue at the club, it’s the only thing that I know”, said Koeman in the second edition of a charity golf tournament in Barcelona whose proceeds will go to the Cruyff Foundation.
Regarding the possible signing of Robert Lewandoski for the Catalan team, he stated that the striker “has his years” but that he has proven to be a goalscorer. “To win important things you need people up front who can make differences and goals. If he’s still at his level, which I think he is, it could be very important,” he said.
“I see Barça much more calmly than last year. I don’t know if the names that come out are true. I understand that the economic situation is quite complicated, but I hope the best for them,” added Koeman, who will take charge of the national team. of the Netherlands from 2023.
Asked about another of his compatriots in the Barça squad, Koeman praised the figure of Memphis Depay, who has shown his worth in his first season in Barcelona. “He is a great player, but his continuity depends on Xavi’s opinion. For me he is indisputable and he is a player for Barça”, he pointed out.
He also referred to the need to rest Pedri. “He’s a young player and we thought he could play every game, but that’s not the case. He’s had his injuries and hopefully he can recover well. Sometimes you have to think about the player and less about yourself, that’s why we gave him two weeks off vacation last year after playing the European Championship and the Olympic Games,” he said.
“I know that the situation is complicated. FC Barcelona always has to try to be with the best and sign what isn’t there, depending on the economic situation that I don’t know exactly how it is,” he added.
In this line, Koeman highlighted the work of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu despite being unaware of the financial problems. “For me he has been a very good president for this club. I don’t know what he has been through exactly, but Barça has been at his level in recent years”, he admitted.
Finally, he wished “the best” to the current top ‘culé’ president, Joan Laporta. “He is trying to do his best. If I want the best for the club, I also want it for the president. I have a normal relationship, we had our things but we are too old to think that every day is like that. It has been my stage and I am happy to return in January as a coach. Each one takes his path, “he settled.