Nations League 2019: Frenkie de Jong shows why his future is already settled – but what next for Matthijs de Ligt?
The expectation lingers that both will next season end up at Barcelona, although it might now be misplaced, and the Catalans made sure to capture De Jong so much more quickly
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Your support makes all the difference.It was one of those nights where you can see why so many clubs wants Mattijs de Ligt, but still have some reservations, just as it was one of those nights where you could see precisely why Frenkie De Jong has been bought from Ajax first.
The midfielder’s performance was impeccable. The centre-half’s was anything but, as he made one huge error, but still offered one huge goal and generally led by example.
The expectation lingers that both will next season end up at Barcelona, although it might now be misplaced, and the Catalans made sure to capture De Jong so much more quickly.
They made it imperative. You can see precisely why.
De Jong is so close to Xavi as a player, and exactly what Barcelona have been missing for so long.
This is not an exaggeration, even if he obviously needs to do it on more exalted stages to match the Catalan’s career.
Performances like this are why Barcelona trust him to do just that.
It’s not just the near-perfect passing accuracy, at Xavi levels of 96 per cent. A remarkable 101 of De Jong’s 105 passes against England found their man, with the total 21 more than anyone else on the pitch.
It is also the drive, the will to find space, the ability to shape the entire game and the shapes of the two sides through his own movement and his movement on the ball.
It’s not just what Barcelona have been missing, of course, but what England have been missing. A lot has been said about that but, for all the talk of Gareth Southgate requiring a player like that, De Jong feels beyond. He's not something you produce. He's pure talent in his own right, already on his way to being one of the best in the world. That's another similarity with Xavi.
The way he takes the ball on even involves a little Andres Iniesta influence, too, to make him all the more valuable.
De Ligt has similarly been compared to all manner of legends, and thereby has all manner of clubs looking at him.
To go with Barcelona, there’s also Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain
All have at various points felt they have a chance with the 19-year-old, although there are some who know he still shows his age. He still needs work. De Ligt can be got at, particularly by pace, as Marcus Rashford showed.
That is why his next move isn’t just crucial for the club who signs him, but is crucial for him. De Ligt has to go to the place that’s best for his development.
Whether his entourage feel the same is the huge question surrounding him. That entourage is headed by Mino Raiola, which says enough. It is one reason why Barcelona are not as confident as they were. Catalan sources say they are now "very far" from a deal, and they put it down to his entourage.
So where, then?
United sources have played down the link, but many at the club want him and - again - you can see why.
United do not feel like that best environment for his development, even if he could hone himself against Rashford’s runs. There’s a reason why the agents of so many young players don’t want to put their clients in “that situation”. United are in such a state right now that they would be too damagingly dependent on a mere 19-year-old, rather than a side where he can be integrated and grow. This is the major issue there.
Playing alongside his international centre-half partner Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool could be perfect, but it still feels like they have priorities in other areas. PSG would really be a souped-up Ajax that doesn’t necessarily seem best suited for a player who requires the next step up. Both Barca and City would offer that, as well as the necessary development of some of De Ligt’s footwork, not to mention agility.
His power in the air can’t be questioned. He already rivals any great centre-half you can think of in terms of scoring headers from set-pieces. England found that to their cost on Thursday.
Now, it's likely going to come down to how much his wages cost. That is currently the long and short of it.
There are no such decisions with De Jong. He is the future - and it's one reason why his own future is already settled.
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