Frenkie de Jong urged to consider Barcelona future after right-back role

Frenkie de Jong has been advised to reconsider his future at Barcelona after being used as a right-back in the victory over Atletico Madrid.

Former Netherlands international Khalid Boulahrouz, who also played for Sevilla and Chelsea, questioned the decision to deploy the midfielder away from his usual position.

Speaking on the Ziggo Sport programme Rondo, Boulahrouz said De Jong should think carefully about what he wants next, according to Sport.

“If I were Frenkie, I would start thinking carefully about what I want,” he said.

Boulahrouz believes Barcelona’s willingness to use De Jong in several positions could eventually work against him. He expressed sympathy for the player, adding: “They use him like a doll.”

His main concern is that a temporary solution could become a regular arrangement.

“This time it was 10 minutes, but next time they might say he has already proved he can do it and that he will play half an hour at right-back if necessary,” Boulahrouz said.

De Jong, 29, should instead insist on being used in his natural position, according to the former Netherlands defender.

“You then have to ask yourself: is this what I want?” Boulahrouz said. “He is a midfielder, and that is his best position. He can also play as a centre-back, but if he now has to move to right-back…”

Boulahrouz also warned De Jong that he faces a difficult battle for a midfield place.

“His fierce battle will be with Pedri because nobody can move Rodri,” he said.

Janssen offers different view

Former Ajax player Theo Janssen defended De Jong during the same programme, offering a contrasting assessment of his contribution against Atletico Madrid.

Janssen praised the impact De Jong had after entering the match and said his introduction changed the course of the game.

“When you bring him on, you know you have an extra midfielder. He reads situations well. You can always pass the ball to him,” Janssen said.

For Janssen, De Jong was central to Barcelona’s response.

“He made the difference in that match. From the moment he came on, the team started working better,” he added.

De Jong himself addressed his new role on Tuesday in an interview with ESPN.

“If the manager asks me to play in defence, I will play in defence,” he said. “But this is not the long-term plan. Everyone knows I am a midfielder.”