Frenkie De Jong On Him Replacing Busquets At Barcelona: “We Are Different Players”
Barcelona were formally presented with the league title last night following their game against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. Although the Catalans slumped to a 2-1 defeat, the team had already secured the title last weekend.
One of the players who played a key role in Barcelona’s title triumph this season is Frenkie de Jong. After being close to leaving Camp Nou last summer, the Dutchman has emerged as one of the most improved players in the team.
In a recent interview, De Jong has talked about his life at Barcelona along with his future prospects with the team.
“It suits me better. The coach, the team and I myself like it,” he said (h/t NOS Sport). “I think you can always keep developing. If you keep working hard and stay physically okay, you’ll get better.”
De Jong believes Barcelona have the potential to compete with teams like Manchester City next season. But the team must show it on the pitch.
“They have been at that high level for years. We want to go there. I think we have a good team, with a lot of potential, and many young players. We have to show it,” he said.
It has been four years since de Jong joined Barcelona. The midfielder has admitted he does miss his earlier life in the Netherlands, but he is happy with his current life in Barcelona.
“Some little things, but I think life here is fantastic. If I and the club continue to be fine, I would prefer to stay here as long as possible,” he said, suggesting that the player would be open to prolonging his stay at Camp Nou further than his current contract.
De Jong also talked about his situation last summer, where he was close to leaving Camp Nou. “The club was in a difficult situation. They could have sold me very expensive, they wanted to and there were talks with Manchester United, but I didn’t want to leave and I stayed,” he said.
FInally, the former Ajax starlet talked about Sergio Busquets and how he has been compared as the ideal successor. “I hear it often, but I think we are different players. He is a real fixed ‘6’ according to the Barcelona profile. I need freedom of movement,” he said.
It must be noted that Barcelona are scouring the market for a new midfielder this summer. They have identified Joshua Kimmich as a potential target, though it is Sofyan Amrabat who is likely the number one target for the Catalans this summer.
