
Seven years later and I still dont know what De Jong’s Barça era is
This is such a weird legacy. De Jong is now the Dutch player with the most appearances for Barça, which should sound enormous. And yet if someone asked me for the one match, one season or one role that defines his time there, I’d have to think way too long. That isnt the same as saying he’s been bad. He’s had injuries, different coaches, different midfield partners, different jobs, and plenty of very good stretches. Maybe that’s exactly the point though. Some players leave a highlight. Some leave a position. De Jong might leave a pile of good football without one clear identity attached to it.