Frenkie de Jong responds to Louis Van Gaal and Ivan Rakitic comments

The Dutch manager and the Croatian performer had raised the question of whether the young midfielder would get enough playing time at Blaugrana.

Former Barcelona coach, Louis Van Gaal and their current midfield maestro Ivan Rakitic have talked about the Dutch young sensation Frenkie de Jong. The former AFC Ajax player agreed to join Barcelona in January transfer window, earlier this year. But recently, Van Gaal is of the opinion that de Jong made a mistake by joining the Blaugranas.

"I think it will be difficult for him there," he told Fox Sports.

"Not only because he'll have a different role there, but because he'll be competing with others to make the starting eleven," this is what Louis Van Gaal said. And Parallelly, Ivan Rakitic also pinned his views stating that the role Frenkie plays on the field is already occupied by him.

"Every good player can come to Barca, I'll be happy. But, I'm convinced De Jong is not coming for my position, because it's occupied," the Croatian said.

Frenkie de Jong: "Rakitic said I won't take his place? Look, Barça told me they signed me to occupy one of the three positions in midfield. Let's see what happens, I will not be the one to say in which position I want to play." [talpa via sport] pic.twitter.com/LROZp2hhxD

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 2, 2019

Talking on the playing Frenkie stated that he was made sure of this particular issue before he signed the deal. "They[Barcelona] told me that I'd be joining to take up one of the three positions in midfield. We'll see what happens. I'm not going to be the one saying which position I want to play." 

He continued, ”I haven’t had any contact with him [Valverde] yet. You ask me if he’s under pressure but that’s due to the media too. However, I don’t know how things are at the club.”

Along with him, head-coach Ernesto Valverde also has Sergio Busquets, Arthur and Arturo Vidal and not to forget, out-of-favour Philippe Coutinho and rising Carles Alena. Ivan Rakitic only missed six games in the recently concluded season and have averaged 51 games in each of the last five seasons.

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As far as Van Gaal is concerned, de Jong said, “Everyone can think what they want, I don’t think it’s a controversial statement from him.”