Frenkie de Jong don tok say e surprise am small when Xavi Hernandez call am before di former Barcelona coach take over as Netherlands manager. De Jong yarn dis one for interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, wey Mundo Deportivo quote. E say Xavi, wey be im former coach for Barcelona, personally call am before dem appoint am as new Netherlands boss.
“He called me beforehand, it was nice to know he was considering it,” De Jong tok. Di midfielder admit say di appointment surprise am because Netherlands no use foreign coach for long time, but e happy with di move. “Since we hadn’t had a foreign coach for a long time, I was a little surprised. But I was happy,” e add.
De Jong, wey miss di previous international break because of injury, go reunite with Xavi for di upcoming international window. E welcome di chance to work with im former Barcelona coach for national team. “We worked well together in Barcelona. I know how he thinks about football, and that fits well with the national team,” e tok. E add say Xavi wants im team to press and attack, and e no go change im principles.
For club side, Barcelona official website announce say De Jong dey return. But Goal report say di midfielder still dey recover from tear of medial collateral ligament in im right knee. E don reach final stage of treatment and fit return to group training by end of October. E expected to be Barcelona most significant returnee after di international break. But Sport newspaper report say De Jong no get place in Barcelona line-up now, and e no dey among Hansi Flick priorities. Barcelona sign Rodri to become key man for that position, while Marc Bernal close to new contract as Rodri direct backup. De Jong no wan leave, but Barcelona no rule out any scenario, so coming months go decide im future. Barcelona midfield don crowded, and dat dey cause problems for some players wey want bigger role.
