Emulating Ronald Koeman at Barcelona would come as respectable for many but not for Frenkie de Jong, especially in one aspect.
Frenkie de Jong is happy to play in defence when needed but does not see himself emulating Ronald Koeman to go on and become a regular name in defence for Barcelona.
The Netherlands international has been one of the most consistent names for Barcelona as they shrugged off their slow start. He has impressed in midfield and has equally done the same since he was deployed at centre-back due to a number of injuries to defensive names.
De Jong has continued to thrive in the role and has recently earned comparisons to Koeman, who was a ball-playing centre-back during his playing days.
However, the 23-year-old is keen to return to a central midfield position as soon as he can.
Speaking to Goal, he said: “I don’t see myself playing as a central defender for the rest of my career. For now it is okay, but I prefer to play in the middle, in midfield.
“But if I have to play in another position [to help the team], I will do it.”
The tweak with De Jong in defence has allowed La Masia graduate Ilaix Moriba to make the step up into the first-team.
The 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut by Koeman in the current campaign and grabbed his first goal for the club in a 2-0 La Liga win away at Osasuna back in March.
With the likes of Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Oscar Mingueza also part of the first-team set-up at Camp Nou, De Jong is delighted to see the of homegrown players in the squad.
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