Luuk silences the purists

Luuk de Jong again. Once again his saving head, as in Palma, after a center by Mingueza; as in Granada, after a beautiful ball from Daniel Alves. this time, he won the portfolio against the entire defense of Espanyol. The Dutchman sensed where Adama’s center would go and finished off as the classics tell. Below, where he hurt the goalkeeper and Diego López did not arrive. Luuk de Jong, a gentleman, celebrated the goal with class and then hugged the Espanyol players, who couldn’t believe that the victory had slipped out of their hands.

Luuk de Jong has already given Barça four points in this League. The club surely owes him a thank you, and almost an apology. because if it weren’t for his goals, he would be eighth in LaLiga with 35 points, even out of Conference League positions. Luuk de Jong has scored all those goals, plus one against Madrid and another that was annulled in Granada for an offside that he did not commit (it was by Gavi at the beginning of the play) after Xavi and Mateu Alemany told him that they did not count on him. Barça’s director of football even phoned Monchi to find a solution. Luuk has remained discreet despite his goals. He has celebrated them very intimately, knowing that his reputation has grown a lot. Not only because of his value on the pitch, but because of his professionalism. That he has set an example in the locker room, and that Xavi has publicly surrendered to his behaviour, is his best visiting card, in addition to his goals, when he has to find a team next June.

Luuk de Jong has also claimed the role of the football specialist. Against the purists, who flatly reject the suitability of his presence at Barça for not fitting into the style, the Dutchman has played a key role in the last month and a half, to the point that his goals keep Barça in the fight for the Champions League.

His goal, moreover, has opened a new debate that points to Xavi. Barça has poured all its football into Adama in the last two games. He has focused and focused on the area and has not found a killer in Ferran or Aubamayeng that he has had in Luuk de Jong. If it is that the meritocracy announced by the coach upon his arrival remains in force, it is clear that the tulip is deserving of more minutes.