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Barcelona: Frenkie de Jong links are a promising sign

By Benjamin Barkworth

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Frenkie de Jong of Ajax, Adnane Tighadouini of FC Twente during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v Fc Twente at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 11, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Frenkie de Jong of Ajax, Adnane Tighadouini of FC Twente during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v Fc Twente at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 11, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Barcelona in a €35 million move.

The 21-year-old Dutch international had a breakthrough season with Ajax, which highlighted his impressive technical ability. This naturally has interested sides such as Barcelona because of his potential as well as the ability to take advantage of Ajax’s weakened stature in Europe. De Jong is able to play as either a defensive midfielder or centre-back, so he could fill one of two key needs for Barca. However, the ideal scenario is if he was able to act as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona’s board has a poor reputation due to recent signings which have failed to live up to expectations as well as other reasons. Eric Abidal was recently appointed as sporting director after Robert Fernandez’s contract wasn’t extended. However, even the appointment of a key player in a board role was seen by some as a move to appease fans while actually changing little in terms of decision-making.

Recent rumours and transfer business is positive, though. Arthur was signed in March to help bring Barcelona back to their roots through the ability to control games with a possession based approach which is rooted in positional play. This was a welcome move because these midfield issues have been evident since Xavi left in 2015. However, it’s unclear whether he will join this summer or in January.

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Philippe Coutinho has been an excellent signing since he joined in January, although Barca did have to fork out £142 million for him. The main issue for him will be adjusting to Andres Iniesta’s role after impressing in an attacking midfield position.

Signing De Jong would be another step in the right decision because it shows the board has seen the problem, and is going about solving it in the right way. Real Madrid’s recent three-peat in the Champions League as well as Barcelona’s issues in the same competition have probably gone a long way to influencing this.

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Is there a promising future?

Coutinho, Arthur and De Jong would be an exciting and talented new-look midfield. They would provide longevity and should be able to adapt to Barcelona’s style through their positional intelligence and technical ability. The next decade will be a time of huge change for the club due to key players leaving or retiring. Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique are both the wrong side of 30 while Busquets will soon be joining them.

Therefore, allowing these players to rotate out and gradually transition away from the team in terms of importance is key. However, the club will never be able to properly deal with the departure of Messi. These signings as well as a potential deal for De Jong are a step in the right direction, though. A move for Thiago or Miralem Pjanic would top it off well because they could have a major short-term impact while the younger players are adjusting.

The board also appears to be starting to shift the deadwood with the sale of Gerard Deulofeu to Watford being the start of that. This is just as important because the wage bill needs to be cut down. Therefore, the recent signs are promising.