Frenkie de Jong is a demanding guy and has his feet on the ground. From Can Barça they expect much more and he is aware (last year he qualified his first months with a '6'), but they know that the future of the club's engine room passes through his boots. However, it has recently been renewed until 2026. At 23 years old, the arrival of Ronald Koeman meant a battery recharge after the faltering debut season of the exajacied. For the new Blaugrana coach it is essential, although he has alternated brilliant performances with other flatter ones, such as the one in the game against Getafe. His position on the field, as a pivot or as an interior, is one of the questions that have accompanied him since his landing in Barcelona and from this, together with the balance of his first season as a Barça player, his teammates or the curious advice that Koeman gave him a year ago regarding nightlife in Barcelona (“He told me I had to be careful”) has spoken in an interview with UEFA.com.
Life in Barcelona: “It is very comfortable. It is very good because the climate is very good, better than in Holland. We have the beach, the mountains and the people are very kind to me. I am really enjoying living in Barcelona …”.
Connection with the Netherlands: “I think it is very popular in the Netherlands because many Dutch players have played for Barcelona and of course Johan Cruyff, who is the greatest Dutch player of all time; he played here and had a great influence on the club.”
Koeman's advice before signing for Barça: “I spoke to him (on the phone a year ago) and he was very positive about Barcelona as a club and Barcelona as a city. What he told me was almost all positive. He just told me that I had to be careful, that I shouldn't go too far to restaurant or eat too much, because life is very good in Barcelona and sometimes you can feel like you are on vacation all year round. He just said: 'Be careful with that and as for the rest, everything is very good 'In the end, football is the main thing. “
Work with Koeman: “I think the communication between us is very good and he tells me exactly what he wants from me in this position, I think everything is very clear. When he speaks, you listen to him because he has that authority, that power-I don't know how to explain it- And of course he has a lot of football knowledge because he understands the game and was a great player before. If he tries to teach you something, you listen. “
Improve as a player: “I think it is always difficult to know if you have learned this or that. You are simply developing as a person and as a footballer because you train and play at the level we have at Barcelona (…). You improve as a player”.
Ideal position: “I think that in my nature as a player, I want to receive the ball early and create the play. I think that is my style of play, more than waiting and receiving it up and playing less. I feel more comfortable in the pivot position than more. upstairs, but I can also play there. It doesn't matter too much, but if I have to choose, I prefer to play in the double pivot than, for example, as a midfielder. “
Companions: “I think (Pjanic) is a great player. He feels very comfortable with the ball. I think he sees the play very well and his shot, his pass, his long pass … they are very good (…). I'm very happy that he joined us. When you have Messi in your team, of course you have the best in the world, then you try to get him the best positions to make a difference. I think we have to adapt to him … ” .