Frenkie de Jong spoke after Barcelona's 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League and said he feels there is more noise around him than around others. The match was De Jong's 300th appearance for Barcelona.
De Jong on the attention around him
Speaking in comments reported by the Spanish newspaper Marca, the 29-year-old said: "I feel that there is always more noise around me compared to the others."
He added: "There is always some noise surrounding me, especially when I am not present. For one reason or another, it happens during the summer when there are no matches, or when I get injured."
De Jong also said: "Is there noise about me? I have a sense that the talk about me is always greater than the talk about the others, but perhaps this is just a feeling I get when they talk about me, as these are things I do not have much influence over."
Fitness update
Marca reported that De Jong said he feels he is in very good shape and does not feel any problem in his knee. He said: "I feel I am in very good shape. I feel strong and enthusiastic, and I have great motivation. I do not feel any problem in my knee. What happened is now in the past."
His preferred position
Marca reported that De Jong said midfield is where he feels more comfortable, but he will help the team in any position it needs him. He said: "In midfield I feel more comfortable, but I will help the team in any position it needs me"
Figures cited by GOAL
GOAL said De Jong has scored 20 goals and provided 31 assists for Barcelona. GOAL said he arrived from Ajax Amsterdam in 2019 for 75 million euros.
