Frenkie de Jong names his best position for Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong has taken on several roles at Barcelona over the past year, but is happiest with his current role.

Life at Barcelona hasn’t gotten off to the easiest of starts for De Jong since his €86m arrival from Ajax last summer. In fact, he has only managed two goals and five assists in 48 appearances.

To be fair, there are a few solid reasons why the Dutchman hasn’t reproduced his Ajax form yet. For one, he’s already had three managers with unique philosophies that have led him to adopt different roles.

The 23-year-old has taken on central and defensive midfield roles, and has even played out on the left wing.

Ronald Koeman’s appointment as manager, however, has shifted De Jong back into his preferred holding midfield role.

“I think in my nature as a player, I want to receive the ball early in the play and to set up the play,” the midfielder told UEFA.com.

“I think that’s more my style of play than waiting for the ball and receiving it upfront, and touching the ball less,” he said.

“I think I feel more comfortable in the pivot position than high upfront, but I can also play high upfront. It doesn’t matter for me so much but, if I had to choose, I would rather play as a double pivot than, for example, as a ‘mediapunta’ (false nine).”

De Jong, meanwhile, also spoke of the respect he holds for Barcelona manager Koeman. The pair are well-acquainted, having worked together during the latter’s spell in charge of the Dutch national team.

Speaking on Koeman as a coach, Frenkie said: “I think the communication between us, between the coach and me, is really good, and he tells [me] strictly what he demands from me in this position, and I think everything is really clear.

“When he’s talking, you are listening to him because he has this authority, this power – I don’t know how to explain it – and, of course, he has a lot of knowledge about football because I think he understands the game and was a great player before.

“So, if he tries to teach you something, you’re listening.”

De Jong was one of four players to recently sign a new long-term contract at Barcelona.