De Jong's former coach Jos Bogers on his attacking shift

Jose Bogers, Frenkie De Jong’s coach at Willem II, has spoken about the Barca player on SER radio. Bogers said that he looks happier in his new midfield position and said that as a kid he used to play further up the pitch

“When he was young he was not a defensive midfielder, like in his first year at Barcelona. When he was young he played much better in attacking positions,” said Bogers.

“I know him and recognise his play now, he’s enjoying himself more in the new attacking position.”

De Jong has five goals this season. “He was a player who scored, but not too much,” added Bogers. “He would make the assist or pre-assist. He was good at breaking lines, at passing, at dribbling, but not shooting.

“He scored goals but like he scored yesterday, coming from deep and scoring goals that seem easy, but they are not. The run he made is quite difficult.”

For Bogers, De Jong is in his best moment.

“The first months or years, when you have to adapt to a new club, the players, the way of playing, the culture, is hard, but now he’s in his best moment.

“I think he can still improve. It’s not a new position but he hasn’t played it much at Ajax or Barca, so for that he can still improve.

“When he’s played a great game, he always wants to play better yet. And that makes him special, a top player.”

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