Frenkie de Jong has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, with his excellent performances for Ajax and Barcelona earning him plaudits from fans and pundits alike. However, his journey to the top has not been without its challenges. His decision to stay at Barcelona despite interest from Manchester United is a testament to his loyalty and dedication to the club. Dwight Yorke believes he has the answer all Man united Fans want. Why De Jong wanted to stay at Barcelona?
Frenkie De Jong and Ronald Koeman
In the summer transfer window of 2022, Barcelona were in the midst of a financial crisis and was looking to offload some of their star players to balance the books. The deal for De Jong was so far advanced that only the player’s agreement was left to finalize the deal.
Barcelona had sacked former manager Ronald Koeman midseason following disappointing results. De Jong had been playing under him at the time. With Koeman gone, Barcelona appointed Xavi as their new manager. De Jong was eager to see what the legendary midfielder could do with the team.
De Jong Under Xavi
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, De Jong was adamant that he wanted to stay and play under Xavi. He saw the appointment of Xavi as a sign that the club was committed to rebuilding and returning to their former glory, and he was determined to be a part of that process.
‘I actually spoke to Frenkie de Jong when we played against him in the A-League All-Stars game in Australia. I have a little bit of insight, he wanted to see what Barcelona would become under the new guidance of Xavi and see how that panned out before he decided if he wanted to join Manchester United.
Dwight Yorke
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Frenkie and Manchester United
De Jong’s decision to stay was not without its challenges, however. His former manager Erik ten Hag, had taken over at Manchester United and was keen to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford. Ten Hag and De Jong had a strong relationship. The Dutch connection between them made the move to Manchester United even more appealing.
I have a little bit of insight, he wanted to see what Barcelona would become under the new guidance of Xavi and see how that panned out before he decided if he wanted to join Manchester United. But there is a Dutch connection with Erik Ten Hag, De Jong would be a great pick because he’s an excellent player.
Dwight Yorke
Despite this, De Jong remained loyal to Barcelona and committed to playing under Xavi. He saw the potential in the team and was determined to help the club return to its former glory. His decision to stay was a huge boost for Barcelona, who were able to keep one of their star players and build their team around him.
He would be the player that would fit into that midfield net to Casemiro and give us a bit more stability. Manchester United would have a very solid core to the team if he was to join
Dwight Yorke
Now, under the guidance of Xavi, De Jong is thriving at Barcelona. He has been a key player for the team this season, and his performances have been crucial to their success. His decision to stay at the club has paid off, and he is now regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Conclusion
In the end, De Jong’s loyalty and commitment to Barcelona have been instrumental in the club’s resurgence. His decision to stay and play under Xavi has helped to rebuild the team and has given fans hope that the club can return to its former glory. As for Manchester United, they will have to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements, as De Jong remains a vital part of the Barcelona team.
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