Barcelona fans want new signing Frenkie de Jong to replace Sergio Busquets in the first team. This is after the Dutch’s sublime showing in their pre-season friendly match against Chelsea on Tuesday.
De Jong officially joined Barcelona this summer on a five-year contract for €75m (£65.3m). His coming has brought a difficult time for a section of Barca stars like Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets.
Ivan Rakitic: "I'm happy that De Jong is coming, he makes the team stronger and because of that I'm glad but I don't think he's coming for my position because its already taken"
We're gonna have Ivan starting 60 games next season and De Jong being on the bench almost every time pic.twitter.com/tXLvoiQVMT
— Rodri (@SuperBarcaXI) May 22, 2019
Rakitic had made his plan of leaving Barca clear by the start of the year for fear of being crowded out after the signing of the former Ajax midfielder in January.
Busquets, on his side, found it rough after their friendly match against Chelsea when he was substituted with the 22-year-old. De Jong slid into Busquet’s position with ease, elegance, and understanding.
At the sight of that, Barca fans endorsed the Dutchman to completely replace the Spanish man;
📰[MARCA] | Busquets has a problem called De Jong.
🔶 Making matters even worse for Busquets is the fact that De Jong has arrived, keen for game time.
🔷De Jong came on for the second half of the game and he slid into Busquets' position with ease, elegance and understanding. pic.twitter.com/ivX9gChZCI
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) July 24, 2019
I know it’s only one game but Busquets has started this season like he finished last season…incredibly poor. As unbelievable as he has been in his career, if this trend continues it’s time to make a change.
— M.J. Totti (@MJSnow25) July 24, 2019
Sell busquets, he is bigger problem thn raki imo
— Borno (@BornoFcb) July 24, 2019
Just look at the number of errors busi hv done this season….he was a great player but not anymore
— Borno (@BornoFcb) July 24, 2019
If this club wants to go far dejong should start ahead of busquet, busquet was also given a chance when he was younger so it’s time for him to also step down and let the younger players play
— Joseph (@____specialone_) July 24, 2019
I said after the loss at Liverpool, Pique Busquets should have been sold. DeJong and DeLigt would have been great replacements.
— James Culé (@Jaymin6879) July 24, 2019
Busquet I use to an important player of Barca, but you can’t deny that is is one of barca major problem in the last 2 season. So he should be benched for De jong
— Babagana Kawule (@BKawule) July 24, 2019
The FC Barcelona executives who handled the whole negotiation for the player with Ajax, spoke about De Jong’s abilities.
They confirmed that the player plays a very similar role to the one that Andres Iniesta had during his prime, with the added nuances that the Dutch midfielder will bring to the plate.
They actually gave a very detailed explanation about De Jong’s style, and they practically confirmed he will play on the same position Rakitic currently has.
“De Jong is a control player, similar to Arthur but much deeper in his actions. De Jong and Arthur will mix very well, ” Barca executives said.