De Jong, Now Is Your Time To Shine

JAKARTA - Undoubtedly, Barcelona needs the best version of Frenkie de Jong. In his first season at Camp Nou, the former Ajax midfielder experienced ups and downs of performances.

After becoming one of the most expensive players in Barcelona's history, the Dutch national team player needs to find his best form so that the 75 million euros plus the additional 11 million euros that Los Blaugarana have poured out are not in vain.

De Jong realizes that he is not yet at his best and often confesses this in post-match conferences. True, this player is far from being a superstar like he had experienced at Ajax.

"I played a mediocre match against Sevilla," admitted De Jong as quoted by MARCA , Wednesday, October 14. He also called for change following the humiliating 2-8 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League.

The good news for the Catalan giants is the fact that they have the right people to step up the Dutchman's form. Coach Ronald Koeman has known De Jong very well since he coached Orange and has also pointed out that the reason for De Jong's lack of progress is due to the pattern that Barcelona previously adopted.

The new Barca coach has now changed the pattern to 4-2-3- 1 and created a double pivot in the middle of the field, which should suit De Jong better. This difference has reaped results when compared to last season, where Barcelona is now keeping a clean sheet in all matches except against Sevilla.

Favorable playing environment

Apart from Koeman's arrival, another man who could benefit De Jong was Alfred Schreuder. This Barcelona assistant coach has known De Jong since he was still playing at Ajax.

It is rare for a player to have the advantage of De Jong, to have staff who are new to a club but who know him well. The coaching staff knows the level De Jong can reach and certainly will not be satisfied for whatever reason.

At the age of 23, the midfielder has to step over the target set and become the new leader that Barcelona craves in the middle of the field.