Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has heaped praise on Frenkie de Jong, citing the Dutch midfielder’s flexibility and charm as the characteristics that truly distinguish him.
Umtiti stated that his former teammate, De Jong, left a lasting influence on him during their time at Barcelona.
Umtiti began by emphasizing De Jong’s all-around skill and tactical versatility, which have long defined the midfielder’s role in the Barcelona squad.
The Frenchman emphasized De Jong’s completeness as a footballer, telling DAZN (h/t FCB World), “Frenkie de Jong knows how to do everything.”
Nothing except praise for De Jong.
He went on to clarify that De Jong’s value stems from his ability to adapt to numerous roles within the same system, but that this requires correct knowledge from the coaching staff.
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Umtiti went further: “You can put him in front of the defence, you can put him as a number 8… but you have to know how to use him.”‘
The admiration did not stop there. Reflecting on what it was like to train alongside De Jong on a daily basis, Umtiti shared a more personal insight into the midfielder’s quality behind the scenes.
“When you live with him in training, you say to yourself: Wow,” he said.
Umtiti also praised De Jong’s mentality, specifically his bravery on the ball during difficult moments for the squad.
When Barcelona struggled collectively, De Jong continued to accept responsibility, which stood out to his teammates.
“For me, he is one of the best. He is a player who does not conceal. That’s what I liked about him: even in difficult situations, he was always willing to receive the ball and make plays.”
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