This player is happy he did not join Manchester last summer

Barcelona considered selling Frenkie de Jong last summer due to economic reasons, not because of any sporting issues. However, after half a season, the Barcelona management admits to being very satisfied with the Dutch midfielder's performance and confesses to Mundo Deportivo that selling him would have been a mistake. `We're lucky we didn't sell him`.

The sporting direction believes that in football, there are moments that sometimes do not go hand in hand with football demands, such as the influence of fair play or financial tensions. De Jong's possible departure was on the table due to the interest of several top Premier League clubs, especially Manchester United. However, the player decided to stay and his role has been fundamental in Barcelona's rebirth in LaLiga.

This season, De Jong stands out because he is a player with a lot of talent and a different profile from the younger players on the team. The Barcelona leadership believes that if he does not want to leave, the club will not consider his departure because he is considered fundamental to Xavi's project. "He understands better and better what is asked of him, and the coach values him a lot," the same sources explain.
Against Athletic, De Jong played a very complete game.

How is he playing?

He made a precise deep assist to Lewandowski that could have ended in a goal, but was thwarted by the Basque goalkeeper. Against Athletic, De Jong made a tremendous effort and emptied himself to cover a large area of the field and cover some gaps, even though Xavi lined him up as a left interior. When Barcelona started their plays, he positioned himself at the back.