Barcelona: 3 things Luuk de Jong will bring to Barcelona

1. Aerial threat and physical prowess

The arrival of Luuk de Jong at Barcelona provides the Catalans with a player who is highly competent and effective in the air. He poses a real aerial threat, especially in the opposition goal area.

His 6-feet 2-inch figure makes him a typical towering centre forward who performs the role of a target man in the box. His dominance in the air is unmatched and probably his strongest asset. In tight games, a player like Luuk can be extremely effective especially when crosses are speared into the box.

Barcelona have always struggled to score goals through corners or headed goals through set-pieces. For free kicks, Barca once had the alienism of Messi who magically put the ball through the net, scoring most astonishing free kicks. Sadly, that sight will now only appear in Youtube compilations and montages. Now, the Blaugrana will have to attack the ball from set-pieces and the Dutchman will always be a prime target for the crosser when he’s on the pitch.

The former Newcastle man is also physically astute and can weather the opponent’s pressure while keeping hold of the ball. His decent passing skills enable him to find the right man while moving forward with the attack.

When Luuk is around, Barcelona wingers or fullbacks do not need to limit their deliveries in the box, he’ll pounce on the ball on the ground, air or rise over the top of defenders and attempt a headed shot. He averaged 1.1 headed shots per 90 minutes last season in La Liga, fifth in the table for this particular attribute.

Meanwhile, his headed shot on target per 90 stands at 0.36, again only bettered by four players in La Liga. The Dutchman offers typical characteristics that other Barcelona forwards might not possess in totality.