Barça's ever-presents and Barça's future: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri

Barça's ever-presents and Barça's future: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri

De Jong v Rakitic / | sport

The duo are the only two players to feature in every La Liga game this season

Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are two regulars in midfield for Ronald Koeman. With the Dutchman's 4-3-3, they sit ahead of Sergio Busquets in key roles developed for two young players brimming with talent. Koeman's hardly given them a rest. They have both played in all 23 league games this season and are set to play again vs. Elche on Wednesday.

De Jong could reach 2,000 La Liga minutes in the game. He's on 1,941, during which time he has scored three goals and provided three assists. He's played 18 complete matches and the game he played the least amount of minutes, against Valencia at Camp Nou (2-2), he still play 45 minutes. He's missed 217 minutes across the season.

The Dutchman, in addition, has played in all three positions in midfield and also as a centre-back on several occasions.

Pedri hasn't played as many minutes as De Jong (1,425) but is the only other player that hasn't missed a game. Antoine Griezmann is third. He was a substitute against Real Valladolid and didn't come on.

Pedri has stunned the football world with his confidence and performances at the age of 18, but also for his pressing and his defensive contribution. His influence on Barça's game is already key and, including all competitions, he's only missed one game all season, the visit to Ferencvaros in the Champions League. Even then he was on the bench.

De Jong (23) and Pedri (18) will lead the new Barça generation. They're two players that are expected to be at the club for many years and to be the team's motor as a transformation takes place on the pitch.

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