De Jong's first year at Barça: "I could have done much better"
Despite playing regularly, the midfielder feels he hasn't hit top form yet
Frenkie de Jong is only 23 but he's mature enough to be self-critical and he doesn't try to hide from his faults. If he's shown anything since he arrived at Barcelona one year ago, it's his capacity for analysis, both collectively and individually. On more than one occasion he has been willing to speak in public when the team's not playing well and to question his own performances.
SPORT asked the Dutchman this week about his first year at Camp Nou.
"I am really happy to have fulfilled my dream (of playing for Barça), it was always my dream," he said. "I am happy with my life here, with the staff... I am really enjoying it."
He continued: "If I speak about my performances, I could have done much better this year. I don't think I've played many bad games, but I haven't been able to have a run of really good games, either. I think I've been OK, but not good enough."
De Jong has played 40 games this season, scoring two goals and setting up four more. In total, 3,045 minutes with the Champions League to come.
He has been a regular under both coaches -- Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien -- and is viewed as one of the centerpieces of the team moving forward.
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