Deconstructing De Jong: Postman in a Fast Lane
Van der Vaart's Critique, Injury Woes, and the Looming Decision - Frenkie de Jong at a Crossroads
In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Barcelona and Napoli played to a 1-1 draw, prompting criticism from former
Tottenhamand Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart regarding Frenkie de Jong's performance. Van der Vaart, now a pundit for Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands, expressed disappointment in his compatriot, likening his style of play to that of a "postman." According to Van der Vaart, De Jong's tendency to hold onto the ball too long and delay forward passes fails to keep up with the required pace of the game. The pundit emphasized the importance of quick and decisive ball movement once a player has evaded their opponent.
De Jong's season has been marred by injuries, including a seven-match absence due to an ankle strain in La Liga. Despite managing only one goal and no assists this season, De Jong has become the subject of transfer speculation, with links to clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea. Barcelona has presented him with an ultimatum to either commit to a new contract or depart from the club permanently.
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