De Jong's versatile style of play
On the green field, De Jong is not only solid at the back, but can also switch freely between front, center forward and center back. Looking back to the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Ajax's backline was slightly thin, so De Jong partnered with Derek Hurt to guard the goal. During that season, De Jong, as a full-back, not only shouldered the burden of defense, but also cleverly played the role of midfield commander in the 2018/19 season to help the team attack.
De Jong's ball control skills are so good that even France striker Griezmann praised him as "the toughest opponent", and the ball seems to be enchanted under his feet. His long and short passes, as well as his dispatching skills, are also impressive, and former Ajax and Barcelona star Marc Oviemans has predicted that he can perfectly replicate Xavi or Iniesta on the field. Barcelona's other superstar Lionel Messi has also been full of praise for De Jong, describing him as a well-rounded player.
Honors and Achievements
During his time at Ajax, De Jong helped the team win the 2018-19 Dutch League title and the Dutch Cup. After moving to Barcelona, De Jong once again proved his strength, winning the 2022-23 La Liga title, Copa del Rey title and Spanish Super Cup with the team.
Personal Honors
In 2019, De Jong won the Dutch Football Rookie of the Year award and was named to the FIFA Team of the Year in the same year.
This is a multifaceted analysis of De Jong's style of play. If you want to know more about De Jong's stats and information, please pay attention to this website.
