De Jong speaks on national team role: I play better here than Barcelona

My Football Facts ⇒ Articles

By Martin Graham | 6th Jun 2022

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong, following the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League game against Belgium, spoke about how his role with the national team suits him better than at Barcelona.

Few days ago, in what could be termed as a landslide victory, the Netherlands thrashed Belgium in their home 1-4, putting them ahead in Group 4 of League A of the Nations League. De Jong’s playmaking genius did not go unnoticed in the match as he was pivotal to some of the goals scored which saw them win convincingly.

Louis Van Gaal, the Netherlands coach, who recognises the result is a product of a collective effort had to single out the 24-year-old among a number of players whose performances were standout.

The former Manchester United manager said of De Jong after the game: “It’s always a victory for the collective, but there are people who can excel in a collective which is of course great.

“There are always stars in certain matches, but in this one, Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn – that was incredible how those two played.”

De Jong also spoke about his performance after the game. “I think this suits me much better,” he said.

De Jong not interested in a move away from Barcelona

The former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder has surely convinced Barcelona of his qualities with that performance against one of the best midfielders in the world – Kevin De Bruyne.

If they were considering selling him, they will surely be having second thoughts now. De Jong, however, had previously stated that he was not interested in leaving Camp Nou.

Stating his stand on the transfer links in the media, De Jong said: “I recently spoke extensively with the trainer [Xavi]. That was a very good conversation. I will not go into that [the transfer links]. Not even about other names or clubs.

“I used to be naive and open-minded about it. I don’t do that anymore. I understand that that link is made. That sum is not that difficult, it is logical.

“I have enjoyed working with Ten Haag at Ajax – and I can’t look into the future, of course. But I prefer to stay at Barcelona.

“That has always been my dream club and it still is. As long as I don’t hear from the club management, I assume nothing is going on.”