Midfielder Ronald de Boer believes that Frenkie de Jong’s level has been affected by the fact that Sergio Busquets has filled his natural position.
De Boer, who is currently a coach at Ajax’s academy, has stressed that Busquets may have to step down to give De Jong the opportunity to cover the midfielder’s position.
“Busquets is a great player, but he needs a lot of protection,” de Boer told El Pais newspaper.
“If he has to cover a lot of the field, he’s in trouble. And that affects the whole team as well as De Jong.
“[De Jong] is the future. Busquets’ career is ending. I love Busquets. But he’s old and sometimes clubs and coaches for a long time cling to players who have to step down.
“The future is De Jong, Jaffe, Pedri, Nico [Gonzalez plays in the midfield]. With these players Barcelona has an amazing midfield.”
De Jong failed to impress Barcelona after moving from Ajax back in 2019 and has recently been the face of criticism. De Boer explained the reasons behind Mwatana’s decline in his level.
“[De Jong] is still a great player for Barcelona,” de Boer added.
“But at the moment, when I see him moving on the pitch, he gives me the impression that he’s doing it very shyly. He doesn’t show the energy he normally has. He seems a little lost. He doesn’t look happy.
“The constant changes of coaches could have affected him. Plus the fact that Busquets is still playing in De Jong’s best midfield position.
“It’s a role he can play very well because he can defend very well. He’s fast and tall [enough] to win aerial duels, and he covers a lot of space.
“Besides [N’Golo] Kante, [De Jong] is one of the best. But Frenkie’s versatility is unique: no midfielder can move as naturally as No. 6 and No. 8.”