Xavi Hernandez responds to suggestions of Frenkie de Jong change of position

After some poor results against Inter and Real Madrid in recent weeks, Barcelona have come under serious pressure. However that pressure has become acutely focused on certain individuals. One of those was Sergio Busquets.

Against Villarreal on Thursday, Frenkie de Jong played in his usual pivot position and did an excellent job. It has led some to wonder whether Barcelona might be better off with de Jong there more often.

Speaking to Marca ahead of Barcelona’s tie with Athletic Club, manager Xavi Hernandez was asked whether pivote was his best position.

“Because of his potential, I see him more as an interior (further forward), although he’s very good in defence. I think he can be differential at an offensive level… the other day he had a great game. He has to be important, I like him and he has tremendous potential. I see that when the game is front of him he sees it better. You have to play him facing the opposition.”

Later on, he was asked how it changes the team when de Jong is there instead of Busquets.

“It changes more in terms of how the opposition plays. The other day Frenkie was the free man and he understood that well, he managed to get on the ball a lot. Many times that position is marked.”

“In the pivote position there are a lot of things to consider, you have to do a lot of things defensively, to make covering runs. You have to choose the right pass to get out. Frenkie did well.”

“Then Busquets is a master. He knows where to be all the time, he robs the ball, for me Busi will continue to be important.”

The proof will be in Xavi’s selections. Busquets has often been exposed in recent seasons against bigger teams and there is no doubt that de Jong can cover the ground better.

Busquets may well still be a better footballer, yet if Barcelona do not play precisely to his skillset (and to accommodate his weaknesses), their system end up working out better with de Jong.

 

Image via PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images

Tags Barcelona Frenkie de Jong Sergio Busquets Xavi Hernandez

8 Comments

  1. Nobody is saying busquets isn’t good in the position but his peak years as past him the team need a younger and more agile player in the position and Frankie de jong is the best for the position as at now and for busquets he can be brought on in the 2nd half for 30 to 35minutes

    1. Like my message got to Xavi…finally…..now WHY we could start that same team in So Classico..tellllll..meeee…
      Now Frankie with defensive midfielder Busquets is Ideal. Kessi coming in would be ideal. Pedri needs a rest. Gavi also use up Ferran and Raphinha.

  2. Yes, they can use him as sub for frekie, there is time for everyone. Will so much appreciate him.

  3. Like my message got to Xavi…finally…..now WHY we could start that same team in So Classico..tellllll..meeee…
    Now Frankie with defensive midfielder Busquets is Ideal. Kessi coming in would be ideal. Pedri needs a rest. Gavi also use up Ferran and Raphinha.

  4. Xavi should stop that politics in the team. The club isn’t for Spanish athletes but rather for all. He should stop trying to build up a “Spanish Athletes” club team, we hate that. How can you sign a player and refuse to give him playtime? Kessie was a very important player for AC and played a vital role in their title win before signing for Barca. Sometimes when Barca lose, I feel more like it’s Xavi’s fault, I feel like traveling all the way from Ghana to Spain just to tell him that it’s all his fault for our recent losts.
    He knows very well that Busquet is old and doesn’t have the energy as he used to during those days but he still prefers him over Frankie; which manager would do that? He should mark these words, if he starts Busi over Frankie against Bayern on Wednesday, I’m afraid are still going to lose. I’m not saying Busi is not a good player anymore but he should understand that his time is over now and it’s time for him to pace way for others to shine as well. If we get knocked out of the Champions league to the Europa league, we the supporters will put all the blame on Xavi. Even Ernesto Valverde won’t relegate from the Champions league into Europa with this team that Xavi has at his exposure. I said Xavi isn’t ready yet and he has started proving me right.

  5. Look xavi needs to stop been sentimental, he knows the set of players to start with for a better performance against bigger opponents. Else sack is on his way

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