How Barcelona could get the best out of Frenkie de Jong next season.
A mini-thread.
A mini-thread.
Frenkie’s an intelligent and versatile player. That’s true. And there’s nothing wrong with trying to make him more decisive in the final third.
BUT that doesn’t mean we should sacrifice what makes him MOST valuable.
BUT that doesn’t mean we should sacrifice what makes him MOST valuable.
What Frenkie does better than most players in the world is contribute to deep build up, and progress the ball through the lines. When he has the freedom to roam in the first phase, he’s impeccable at it.
If you’ve got him, it’s madness not to exploit that skillset.
If you’ve got him, it’s madness not to exploit that skillset.
Especially for Xavi’s Barca, this *should* be a priceless profile.
A team built on obsessive possession, that ALSO tries to be very vertical in the middle and final third. Who better than de Jong?
But Barca aren’t using him that way.
A team built on obsessive possession, that ALSO tries to be very vertical in the middle and final third. Who better than de Jong?
But Barca aren’t using him that way.
In Xavi’s 2-3 shape, de Jong is positioned to be at the end, not the beginning, of Barca’s buildup.
Because most teams cut out the passing lanes to the interiors, he’s forced to receive from the wingers or centre forward, rather than the centre backs.
Because most teams cut out the passing lanes to the interiors, he’s forced to receive from the wingers or centre forward, rather than the centre backs.
This shape has already seen a lot of problems in build up, especially towards the end of the season.
With Busquets isolated (and very easy to mark), progression is almost always to the wingers. They are forced into 2v3 or 2v4 scenarios with limited space.
With Busquets isolated (and very easy to mark), progression is almost always to the wingers. They are forced into 2v3 or 2v4 scenarios with limited space.
If de Jong wants to get involved, he has to start from his high position and come deep, making it easy to man-mark, get tight and force him backwards.
This is wasting him. Considering he could be so good at unlocking these disciplined medium blocks from a deep starting position.
This is wasting him. Considering he could be so good at unlocking these disciplined medium blocks from a deep starting position.
A solution? Follow Pep.
For a while, Pep has been using a double-pivot in buildup for the exact same reason. The pivot is no longer isolated. The fullback can push further up, allowing the winger to come inside and combine with the interior.
No numerical disadvantage out wide.
For a while, Pep has been using a double-pivot in buildup for the exact same reason. The pivot is no longer isolated. The fullback can push further up, allowing the winger to come inside and combine with the interior.
No numerical disadvantage out wide.
Frenkie is the exact profile required for this ‘auxiliary pivot’ role. For City it’s Bernardo or Gündoğan. Ironic that Barca are being linked with those very players as Frenkie replacements.
This doesn’t mean ditching 4-3-3. It means changing shape during specific game phases.
This doesn’t mean ditching 4-3-3. It means changing shape during specific game phases.
With Frenkie’s quality, it’s natural that a coach tries to evolve him in an attacking sense (as Gundogan has done for City). To become a decisive player in the final third, as well as the first.
This is still important. But it shouldn’t mean he stops doing what he does best.
This is still important. But it shouldn’t mean he stops doing what he does best.
So far Xavi’s shape in buildup has been too rigid. Teams have been exploiting that.
As other managers look for adaptations, Barca have the perfect profile in his squad to do the same.
But is it too late? We’ll see if the Dutchman is still around next season.
As other managers look for adaptations, Barca have the perfect profile in his squad to do the same.
But is it too late? We’ll see if the Dutchman is still around next season.
End of thread 🥂
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