Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has played down comparisons to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
De Jong, 21, is the latest big talent to emerge from Ajax’s academy and is already being linked with a move to Barcelona.
How good is De Jong? Five key things to know…
- Frenkie de Jong enjoyed a good breakthrough season for Ajax last season, and is regarded as one of the hottest young players in Europe.
- His performances for the Dutch club have seen him linked with a move to Barcelona, with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen believing De Jong will be tempted.
- The midfielder’s intuition on the pitch has also seen him compared to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
- But de Jong has rubbished these comparisons, believing he will never be as good as Cruyff.
- De Jong has earned five caps for the Netherlands since making his debut in June 2018.
Were De Jong to move to Barcelona, the midfielder would follow in the footsteps of Dutch legend Cruyff, who traded Ajax for the Blaugrana in 1973.
Cruyff is widely regarded as one of the best footballers to have ever played, winning the Ballon d’Or on three occasions, as part of the Netherlands’ Total Football revolution.
But, despite being honoured by the comparisons, De Jong has admitted he is paying them no heed given the stature of Cruyff.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, as reported by Football Espana, De Jong said: “I try not to pay attention to talk of comparisons, I only want to focus on myself.
“It is good to hear that people are talking like that but the truth is I am not at Cruyff’s level of talent and I never will be, so it is not something I think about.”
In the Eredivisie this season, De Jong has scored two goals in 11 games, and has been used across the pitch from centre-back to midfield, proving his worth to Ajax.
The midfielder has also shone for Ajax in the Champions League.
De Jong is going nowhere in January, insists Overmars
Despite playing a small role towards the end of the 2016/17 campaign, De Jong had his breakthrough season at Ajax last year.
The midfielder recorded seven assists in 22 Eredivisie appearances, earning him high praise and links to Barcelona. And, talking in the summer, De Jong refused to rule out joining the Blaugrana at some point in the future.
“Maybe someday I’ll join Barcelona, but not this season. I’m staying at Ajax. I think it will be a good year,” he said after helping Ajax reach the Champions League group stage.
“I’d love to play with Ajax against Barcelona. Our squad is good and we deserved to reach the group stage. Now we’re about to find out what we’re capable of in the Champions League.
“It will be my first time [facing those big opponents], but I hope to draw a group with perspective to march on.”
Despite De Jong opening the door to a future move to Barcelona, Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars remains adamant the midfielder will not be leaving in January.
“I think everyone knows our stance,” he said.
“That is not to make sales in the winter. There’s no chance, no matter what amount anyone offers.”
The post ‘I am not Cruyff’ – Frenkie de Jong rubbishes comparisons with Ajax icon appeared first on Squawka News.
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