Frenkie de Jong

[KingLeo10]

Certified baller. Has been class in the midfield for like 5-7 games running. Or more.

 

[JamDav1982]

Plus side of Koeman is that he has found better role for FDJ and improved the midfield/front line massively in terms of movement, workrate and options.

Still look a bit loose at back but lack the players really in defence and DM to cover players playing way Barca do.

 

[FCBfan22]

Real talk...

A midfield with FDJ and Pedri looks great for the future.

 

[Horatio]

Plus side of Koeman

aye

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Plus side of Koeman is that he has found better role for FDJ and improved the midfield/front line massively in terms of movement, workrate and options.

Still look a bit loose at back but lack the players really in defence and DM to cover players playing way Barca do.

Busi and Pjanic are probably last players Koeman would want to play but have no other options. Can't blame him for that.

 

[sikkboy]

Good to see him making runs into the box to receive. Making defenders unsure.

 

[Rory]

Played great today and a few other games this year. Finally showing the player we thought we bought. NEEDS busquets to go though

 

[Messigician]

This is bullshit. All this time people including Koeman said he's being played out of position when Vavlerde had him so advanced and he should be played as a CDM. Now all of a sudden he's credited with playing FDJ further forward which is exactly what he said was his wrong position.

You all don't know wtf u want.

 

[serghei]

This is bullshit. All this time people including Koeman said he's being played out of position when Vavlerde had him so advanced and he should be played as a CDM. Now all of a sudden he's credited with playing FDJ further forward which is exactly what he said was his wrong position.

You all don't know wtf u want.

Your dear EV played him as a wide player often.

 

[Messigician]

Your dear EV played him as a wide player often.

Your dear Koeman played him as a CB often.

 

[Joan]

Don't think Horatio will have recruiting easy with this one, @serghei

 

[vegitot]

He is better recently. From December till now he has been really good.

Guess Koeman and Barca are not the reason for him being inconsistent.

 

[Andresito]

So is it a defensive or an offensive player we need to complete Frenkie with?

In a 4-3-3 with Pedri it's clearly a defensive minded player we need. One who stays back and plays it simple (and not being a defensive liability).

Not sure Wijnaldum is the right player. Maybe as a backup at Frenkie's position.

 

[serghei]

So is it a defensive or an offensive player we need to complete Frenkie with?

In a 4-3-3 with Pedri it's clearly a defensive minded player we need. One who stays back and plays it simple (and not being a defensive liability).

Not sure Wijnaldum is the right player. Maybe as a backup at Frenkie's position.

I think box to box is what's needed. I'm not sold on Frenkie being an offensive weapon. His best skills are in deeper areas for me, and his offensive runs need to be not as often. So, I'd pair him with a player like Wijnaldum, who does the legwork on both ends and has the superior ability in attack. And replace Busi with Frenkie.

The advantage of getting someone like Wijnaldum is that you get a player who can play 2-3 positions equally well. He can play in the double pivot, in a 3, he can even play as a 10 in the Pedri and Messi positions. You can even use him wide in a 4-2-3-1 probably and would do a decent job. The only question mark is how much "legs" does he have left after several seasons with one of the most intense and demanding managers around.

Also, really quality DMs are harder to find than quality box to box players. I don't see a DM on the market that would be good enough for Barca.

 

[JohnN]

I think box to box is what's needed. I'm not sold on Frenkie being an offensive weapon. His best skills are in deeper areas for me, and his offensive runs need to be not as often. So, I'd pair him with a player like Wijnaldum, who does the legwork on both ends and has the superior ability in attack. And replace Busi with Frenkie.

The advantage of getting someone like Wijnaldum is that you get a player who can play 2-3 positions equally well. He can play in the double pivot, in a 3, he can even play as a 10 in the Pedri and Messi positions. You can even use him wide in a 4-2-3-1 probably and would do a decent job. The only question mark is how much "legs" does he have left after several seasons with one of the most intense and demanding managers around.

Also, really quality DMs are harder to find than quality box to box players. I don't see a DM on the market that would be good enough for Barca.

To be fair to koeman, he wanted Wijnaldum. He had a plan for this midfield, but Barto, as always, made sure it wouldn't come through.