Time to move on for De Jong?

Frenkie de Jong’s recent underwhelming performances have once again given ammunition to his circle of critics - those who consider that, despite his 80 million euro market value, he is not an elite player. The Dutchman’s fifth season in Barcelona is passing him by. The issue goes beyond the numbers, which are already worrying in themselves. De Jong’s last goal for the team was back in August and has not given a single assist compared to Gündogan’s 10. But the worst may not be in the statistics, but in the sensations.

De Jong has become an insubstantial player. This season he has been unable to set the pace of Barça’s games. He doesn’t take enough risks and he doesn’t push the team. He has turned his games into bureaucratic exercises - which is probably the worst that can be said of a player, close to turning 27, and supposedly one of the team’s spiritual leaders.

De Jong, keen to triumph at Barcelona

Disappointment has also begun to permeate the fans - those who initially viewed his signing in 2019, one of the few good moves by Josep Maria Bartomeu. De Jong, who had impressed that season at Ajax, was wanted by PSG, Bayern, Liverpool and Manchester City. But he felt drawn to Barça - excited by that imaginary line that connects Barcelona with the Netherlands since the glory days of Johan Cruyff.

In his favour, De Jong has been a very loyal player to Barça and seemed convinced that he could succeed there even when the odds were stacked against him and the team. When Joan Laporta tried to sell him in the summer of 2022, he kept silent and resisted the pressures he was subjected to. He was happy in the city and above all, he wanted to succeed at Barça. He has had some specific moments of splendor, especially during the 2020-21 season with Koeman at the helm. Together with Busquets and Pedri he formed part a midfield that fed Messi, won the Copa del Rey and fought for LaLiga while play attractive football. With Xavi he is also remembered for a handful of good games. The emphatic 0-4 victory at the Bernabéu, the 2-4 triumph in Naples... But, five years after his signing, it can already be said that much more was expected of him.

De Jong has never been dropped and, for several seasons, he has played without being at his best. This year he also suffered an injury to his right ankle (a distal tibioperoneal syndesmosis was formal diagnosis) in the Week 6 game against Celta. That forced him to sit out 10 games (seven in LaLiga, three in the Champions League) but since his return, he seems to be playing with a certain nonchalance. As if, for the first time, he could be considering the idea that his time Barça has come full circle.

Last week, Esport 3 reported that the player may even be thinking about leaving if an offer from elsewhere arrives. Barça would certainly have no problems letting him go. Along with Lewandowski, he is the squad’s top earner, receiving around 20 million euros net this season. His departure would be a respite for Financial Fairplay and despite the fact that he is valued within the club, the general consensus would be to let him go because it is a question of survival and, unlike other cases, De Jong has been granted enough time to succeed.