Frenkie De Jong’s second half cameo against Real Oviedo had fans lauding his performance. He has seemed to finally display flashes of his former Ajax self however the situation when he joined was very different.
The Dutchman who arrived from Ajax for a fee of €75 million, had a tough start to his life at the Catalan side struggling to fit in and was being bashed by Barcelona fans and critics for his performances. During the summer of 2022, Barcelona were struggling with financial issues and Erik Ten Hag the Dutchman’s former coach at Ajax wanted him at Manchester United. Fees were agreed between the clubs but De Jong insisted on staying at Barcelona. Injuries hampered his development at the club and the emergence of Pedri and Gavi under new manager Xavi made it even tougher for him to breakthrough. So what changed?
The constant injuries to Gavi allowed De Jong to show his skills and make his breakthrough. Then under the new management of Hansi Flick, De Jong formed a great midfield partnership with Pedri, with the two complimenting each others strengths in midfield well with him. While Pedri handles the creativity and playmaking, he contributes the crucial balance and progression to the midfield. With one fan stating- “I remember when people said a de Jong and Pedri double pivot couldn’t work”
These performances have seen him reach an extension with the club according to Mundo Deportivo. He would display this new found confidence with a brilliant performance against Real Oviedo.
WTF. pic.twitter.com/rTEaEbLlud
— Neal 🇦🇺 (@NealGardner_) September 25, 2025
These match statistics show him posting impressive numbers an 8.0 match rating, 100% success rates in successful dribbles, accurate crosses, and accurate long balls, perfect tackle success (2/2), and 6 passes into the final third from just 60 touches. On paper, these are the numbers of a player performing at the highest level. He delivered a sensational cross for Lewandowski helping Barcelona turn their 1-0 deficit around.
Barcelona fans started drawing comparisons to Johan Cruyff after this brilliant performance with one stating- “We are witnessing the birth of Johan Cruyff all over again” The parallels between de Jong and Cruyff were compelling from the start. Both emerged from Ajax’s famed academy, both possessed an innate understanding of space and time on the pitch, and both carried themselves with a quiet confidence on the pitch.
All I could see once he stepped into the pitch! pic.twitter.com/aDppHeN61p
— Zino¤ (@zino_mezu) September 26, 2025
The crucial test for De Jong is consistency, a factor that has often eluded him during his time in Catalonia. Not only must he sustain this elite level to satisfy critics, but also to hold off serious internal competition from emerging talents like Bernal and Casado. If he can maintain this influential form, he provides Barcelona with genuine hope of ending their decade long Champions League drought and finally bringing the trophy back to Camp Nou.
