Let me make it clear about De Jong reveals advice from Koeman ahead of Barcelona move
Frenkie de Jong has revealed the advice he had been written by Ronald Koeman just before their proceed to Barcelona.
Barca reached an understanding to signal De Jong from Ajax for €75 million (£68m/$89m) in January 2019, having seen him emerge among the brightest talents in European countries at Johan Cruyff ArenA.
The 23-year-old joined up together with his brand new team-mates at Camp Nou 6 months later on, and has now since become a normal into the Blaugrana beginning XI.
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The Dutch midfielder has admitted which he desired Koeman’s viewpoint after lining up a transfer to Barca, having currently founded himself into the 57-year-old’s put up at international degree aided by the Netherlands.
“we talked to him [on the device more than a ago] and he was really positive about Barcelona as a club as well as Barcelona as a city year. Just what exactly he explained ended up being the majority of good,” De Jong told UEFA .
“He simply explained i must be mindful, that we [shouldn't] visit restaurants an excessive amount of or eat a lot of because life is actually good in Barcelona and quite often you are able to feel you are on holiday the complete 12 months.
“He simply stated, ‘Be careful with this and, for the remainder, all things are great.’ at the conclusion of a single day, soccer may be the primary part.”
Koeman, who won four league games in addition to European Cup at Barca during his playing job, inherited the managerial reigns at Camp Nou per year later on, changing Quique Setien into the hot chair following the group’s 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich within the Champions League.
De Jong is happy to have connected up using the experienced mentor once more at club degree, and states he enjoys an excellent relationship utilizing the Blaugrana legend that will be centered on respect.
“we think the interaction between us, between your advisor and me personally, is actually good, and then he tells [me] strictly exactly what he demands from me personally in this place, and I also think all things are actually clear,” he stated of Koeman’s managerial style.
“as he’s chatting, you’re hearing him because he’s got this authority, this power – I do not understand how to explain it – and, needless to say, he’s got lots of understanding of soccer because i do believe he understands the overall game and had been a great player prior to.
“therefore, if he attempts to educate you on one thing, you are listening.”
De Jong has had up a number of different positions into the beginning XI since their arrival at Barca, but he could be happy to be straight back inside the normal part in keeping midfield under Koeman’s stewardship.
“we think in my own nature as a new player, i do want to have the ball early in the play and also to set within the play. I believe that’s more my form of play than looking forward to the ball and receiving it at the start, and pressing the ball less,” he stated.
“we think i’m more content within the pivot place than high in advance, but i’m also able to play high in advance. No matter if I’d to select, i might instead play as being a dual pivot than date me, for instance, as being a mediapunta (false nine). for me a great deal but,”
De Jong will undoubtedly be right back for action with Barca once they consume a visit to Juventus within the Champions League on Wednesday, where they’ll certainly be planning to jump right back from an unpleasant defeat that is 3-1 genuine Madrid in El Clasico during the week-end.