Barcelona: 3 things Luuk de Jong will bring to Barcelona

2. Not your ideal Barcelona forward

Barcelona usually does not sign a striker simply based on burly nature and for being physically judicious. What they look for is the technical skillsets and the ability to blend into Barcelona’s style. Forwards with the ability to build-up play and be part of an attack rather than just being active in the goal area are some of the prerequisites for being the Barcelona striker.

Luuk de Jong is not the archetypal Barcelona striker; he’s admitted it himself, in his first interview as a Barcelona player. Luuk won’t be a regular starter. He’s aware of the fact but he knows he can bring something different to this Barcelona attack.

"“There are lots of different forwards here, but I’m tall and I’m good with my head. I know I won’t play all the time, but I have a good relationship with Koeman from playing for Holland, and he’ll know when he needs a player like me who’s good in the air.” (via club’s official website)"

In recent years, Barcelona have made such against the flow transfers which have yielded respectable results. Arturo Vidal was signed from Bayern Munich. The Chilean warrior was not a silky passer of the ball or he didn’t perform Cruyff turns or thread defense splitting through balls. His credentials made him a unique Barca signing.

Offering physicality and that undying never giving up attitude along with arrogance that was needed in the middle of the park. He might have struggled to adjust to Barcelona ways but when he was on the pitch, he unleashed his combatant attitude and certainly gave an X-factor to the team.

Luuk de Jong suits a more direct style of play and he’ll be hoping that despite having a different set of qualities to an ideal Barcelona forward, he can thrive and make an impact.