"Imply". Does this strike you as something I said or something you think I said?
Seriously, you see digs in 95% of my comments about Barcelona. Fair enough. Not what I said or implied. Would be nice if you didn't resort to this strange 'discreditation', really needless, but I can only ask.
Back on topic.
I rate Frenkie. What I was saying was threefold:
a) you're sticking to phrases i.e. "Frenkie is a supertalent", "he got the x award" which don't add anything to the conversation about Barcelona and you then go on to say "he made instant impact at Barcelona - I simply ask - how? Similarly, "he showed bits of genius every game". Ok, evidence?
b) based on Frenkie playing in 90% of the games, there is no clear trend he improves the team and whenever he's not playing, there is no evidence the team suffer without him.. thus, what good is his talent to this current team? And subsequently...
...c) assuming things will improve institutionally, how long until you properly start taking advantage of this supertalent of his? De Gea waited a bit too long. Better watch out.
PS
Still waiting for the source to '80% of the socios' bit. And this isn't meant to undermine your credibility. Just haven't heard this before. Any chance?
a) How?
Out of all players in the team he's the smartest mover, has the best stamina, probably the best technique (takes the fewest touches to advance the game), is closing the channels both in offense and defense, as well as being the best support player in the team, and possibly in the world too. One of the most important things in midfield play is to provide options for teammates around you, so they can pass you the ball. Most of the time, in derbies or matches against good teams, normal passing channels are blocked by default. So, doing build-up in these cases requires players who move frequently and in a smart way. Frenkie De Jong is currently the best player in the world in this area - teammate access, teammate support, smart movement. He constantly moves within his main area (when he is not used on the fucking wing by the moron we have as manager) to receive from other players, when these players are unable to complete a pass by default. No other player in the world does this as well as Frenkie.
Simply put, when a teammate in his area of action has issues passing out, or is caught in a pressing trap, Frenkie is the only starting midfielder who immediately makes approaching moves to help him out. A pressing trap is usually done in central areas to force teams to play wide. Despite of De Jong's quality in this area of the game, we still build wide an awfully lot because the manager is crap. If you watch Rakitic, or Vidal, or even Busquets, their willingness to constantly move and help connect the compartments when there is pressure on the build-up phase is very very low.
Frenkie de Jong is possibly the only midfielder today who has enough quality to play in the first 11 in 2009-2011 Barcelona instead of Sergio Busquets. No other young player in the world has De Jong's set of qualities to be part of that midfield.
b) Our game suffers without him, no doubt. Every Barca fan I think sees that. But you have to realize that, the way this team is built, Messi and Suarez score and create enough genius plays to win most games in La Liga, with or without De Jong.
c) There is no correlation between Barcelona and United. If things improve on the bench, De Jong will instantly improve his output. Right now, he's still making a mark and is the best midfielder in the team, but his potential is that of a Ballon d'Or level midfielder.
