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Former Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart likens Frenkie De Jong to a postman in UCL post-match criticism.
Barcelona's midfield maestro, Frenkie De Jong, found himself at the centre of criticism following his team's 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League round of 16.
The Dutch international's performance did not sit well with Rafael van der Vaart, a former Netherlands star, who delivered a scathing review by likening De Jong to a "postman" for his perceived lackadaisical approach to the game.
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Despite Barcelona's efforts to secure a positive result, Van der Vaart's comments highlight a sense of disappointment in De Jong's contribution to the match.
Van der Vaart's Harsh Critique
During his appearance as a pundit on Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands, Van der Vaart didn't mince words about De Jong's showing against Napoli.
"Frenkie de Jong plays football like a postman," he declared, criticising De Jong for his slow pace in advancing the ball and opting instead for safe, short deliveries.
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According to Van der Vaart, De Jong's inability to quickly transition play and his preference for holding onto the ball rather than making decisive forward passes are major drawbacks in his game.
De Jong's Future in Limbo
Amidst this criticism, De Jong's season has been marred by injuries, with an ankle strain sidelining him for seven La Liga matches. His contributions have been modest, with only one goal to his name and no assists, underscoring a challenging campaign for the Dutch midfielder.
Furthermore, speculation about De Jong's future at Barcelona is rife, with reports linking him to Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea. The Catalan club has reportedly given him an ultimatum: sign a new contract or prepare for an exit.
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