Cillessen: "De Ligt and De Jong would be delighted to come to Barça"

Jasper Cillessen is in a complicated situation at the top level of football: he's a substitute for his club but a regular for his country. Holland coach Ronaldo Koeman sticks with him despite his lack of regular football. For the national team, he plays alongside Ajax duo Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, both Barcelona targets.

On his return from international duty, Cillessen spoke to SPORT before taking part in Adidas' Tango League at Gol a Gol in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

-Holland's results have been good after failing to qualify for two tournaments, like the 3-0 win over Germany last week... 

Yes, it's been a difficult period, but we're growing a lot as a team now. There's still a long way to go, but we want to get back Holland's position on the international stage. We're still not where we want to be. 

-What's it like coming back from international football after months without playing?

I always want to play, but unfortunately for me, Ter Stegen's at such a high level for Barça that it's difficult to play here at the moment. But I'm happy to be able to play almost every game with my country and when I come back to Barcelona my teammates are happy to see me competing, that's nice for me. 

-It's not common for a player to be a regular for his country but not his club...

I know, but I'm delighted that the national team coach doesn't see it like that and values me despite everything. I don't play every week and for that reason he can't watch me, but he knows my qualities and every time I am with the national team I try to earn his confidence and keep playing. 

"De Ligt physical, strong, mentally strong. And he is only 19 years old"

-Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, Barça targets, are teammates with Holland Are they as talented as they say?

With De Jong, I didn't play together at Ajax, but I did play wit De Ligt for a few weeks, because he came up to the first team in the summer of 2016. I was able to work with him that preseason, before coming to Barça. He's a player with a lot of quality and is only 19. 

-Is he ready to come to Barça? He's getting big game experience with Ajax and Holland.

He's 19 years old, he's physical, strong, mentally strong, especially if you see the game against Germany. In the first half he didn't go so well, but he recovered in the second half, he was excellent in the second half. at 19 years old. He was also excellent against Bayern Munich in the Champions League for Ajax. 

-It's a given that he has the level to play for Barça?

I spoke with him about it [Barcelona], he has the level, but he's still 19 years old.… I don't know because Overmars is in charge at Ajax, so I don't know what he wants [to let him leave]. I also read he's not going anywhere [in January].

-Did you speak with De Ligt about Barça's interest?He was at my table during every dinner, so we spoke a lot -- but not just about Barcelona, about a lot of things.

-And what did he say about Barça?

That it's a great club. Everyone says it. 

-De Jong is another type of player. A versatile midfielder. Is he the heir to Sergio Busquets or is he an interior? 

He can do both [midfield roles]. With the national team he plays more like Busquets. But Busquets is on another level at the moment. I think he's undervalued by most people. We spoke about him with the national team and I said when he's not there you miss him, that's the great quality of Busquets. 

-Barça's squad doesn't have a backup for Busi...

We have good players…

-But De Jong could be his long-term replacement.

Yes, it's an interesting option, but it's the same as with De Ligt: it depends on Overmars's opinion.

-De Jong would also be delighted to sign for Barça?

Yes, everybody in the national team would like to play for Barcelona because its one of the best teams in the world.  

-It was strange in the Germany vs. Holland game the other day: Cillessen in goal and Ter Stegen on the bench.

Yes, roles changed for a day. We changed shirts after the game. We get on well and are friends. Our relationship is perfect.