Dutchman De Jong explains the truth about his defensive role

Frenkie de Jong, the Dutch national football team midfielder, confirmed that his long-term future lies in the midfield, not in the defensive line.

The Spanish Barcelona star touched on his temporary experience playing as a right-back with the Catalan team, commenting on the coaches’ requests for him to close defensive gaps.

De Jong made it clear his preferred position upon his return to the Dutch national team. In statements to ESPN, ahead of the Orange team's next two matches in the European Nations League against Greece and Germany, the player recalled his recent surprising experience playing in the right-back position with Barcelona, ​​under the leadership of German coach Hansi Flick, during the confrontation with Atletico Madrid, the day before yesterday, Sunday, in the Spanish League championship.

Despite De Jong's constant willingness to sacrifice for the team in emergency situations, he stressed that defensive tasks remain a purely temporary measure, knowing that both Flick, and former coaches Ronald Koeman and Xavi, had previously relied on him at the heart of the defense, during matches that required urgent tactical adjustments.

Speaking to reporters in Zeist, De Jong smiled when asked if he expected to participate in the defensive line with the Dutch national team, categorically denying this possibility.

De Jong said: “If the coach asks me to play in defence, I will do so, but this will not be the case in the long term, as everyone knows that I am a midfielder.”

Referring to his short participation at right back at the beginning of the week, De Jong added: “The coach came to me before the restart of play and asked me: Can you, or do you mind, playing at right back for 15 minutes?” Then it returns to the midfield. “It was acceptable. Everyone is fully aware that I am a midfielder and not a defender.”

De Jong pointed out that playing in the back line is not something new in his career, as he had previously been asked to occupy the center back position by several prominent coaches at both Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona.

De Jong recalled, saying: “It happened with other coaches as well, at Ajax sometimes, and at Barcelona as well, and with Koeman at that time, and with Xavi on some occasions.”

He continued: “These were exceptional cases or situations that required us to strive to win. So, yes, there are coaches who have hired me in this position, and I think I can do the job well.”

Having completely overcome the obstacles of injuries and the dramatic events of the summer, De Jong feels strong and motivated, with full focus on leading the game from his preferred position in midfield.

Although he is still in the process of regaining his full rhythm to play a 90-minute match, the playmaker appears to be in strong physical condition and ready to be the main pillar of the Dutch national team.

The Dutch team will rely on its calmness and technical skills in the midfield, especially in light of the decisive tests awaiting the team against Greece and Germany.

The Dutch team is at the top of the standings of Group Two in the first level of the continental competition, equal with 8 points with its closest competitor, the Greek team.

The Dutch national team will host its Greek counterpart next Friday, before hosting the German national team next Monday, in the last two rounds of the group, in which the leader and runner-up qualify for the knockout rounds of the tournament, which is scheduled to be held next March.

Italian Jannik Sinner, ranked second in the world, expressed on Tuesday his confidence that he will return in time to participate in the “Australian Open” next year, but he will not rush his recovery from the knee injury that ended his season early.

The 25-year-old player has been absent from competitions since winning his fifth Grand Slam title in his career at the Wimbledon Championship last July.

Sinner said during a press conference held in Milan in his capacity as the global brand ambassador for Allianz: “My goal is to participate in the (Australian Championship), and I hope that will happen, and perhaps I will participate in some tournaments before that. For now, I have to follow the protocols without rushing things. I have great confidence in this process, and I am working towards achieving this goal. Initially, we had an impossible goal in mind for my return; So we took a different path. I am a tennis player, not a doctor; So my only option is to trust them. I miss playing tennis. But right now, it is very necessary to take care of my body; Because I want to continue playing for another 10 to 15 years.”

Sinner was joined at the event by Darren Cahill, the coach he parted ways with last week after four years. Swedish Magnus Norman joined Sinner's training team.

Cahill said: “You have to ask yourself a lot of questions to understand the mentality of the player you are coaching; This is how you gain his trust. We built and formed a great team, but 99 percent of what was achieved is thanks to him. He's the one who goes and plays. Everyone contributes the remaining one percent, and that is what makes the difference.”

Sinner said that Cahill was a "second father" to him, and that they would remain close friends, adding that Norman, the former world number two, shared a number of similarities with the Australian coach.