Former junior coach delighted for Barcelona midfielder De Jong over current form | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong's former Willem II coach Jose Bogers is delighted seeing him succeed in Spain.

De Jong was again on the scoresheet for their Copa del Rey win against Rayo Vallecano.

“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."