Frenkie de Jong blames Barcelona’s management, not Xavi, for the uncertainty surrounding his Camp Nou future in recent months.
De Jong, who will make his World Cup debut against Senegal in the Netherlands’ Group A opening on Monday, was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United during the previous transfer window.
Despite the midfielder’s repeated statements to the contrary, Barcelona reportedly saw him as the club’s most saleable asset as they sought to bankroll high-profile signings for Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha.
With Xavi making a series of ambiguous statements about De Jong’s future at the time, the Netherlands international believes the Barcelona manager was put in an awkward situation by those in authority.
De Jong’s statement
When asked if the transfer saga was the fault of Joan Laporta’s administration, De Jong told De Telegraaf: “I blame these people, but I have nothing to do with them.
“Yes, for me they are Barca because they run it. I don’t see them when I’m at the club during my daily routine.
“Xavi, it’s true that he left the door open to the possibility of me leaving because he never said ‘Frenkie stays’. But I don’t blame Xavi.
“I never had the feeling that Xavi was against me, and I think it was difficult for him to talk about all this.”
Despite speculations that Barcelona were eager to let him go, De Jong has continued to play an important part for Xavi’s team this season, recording 17 appearances in all competitions.
De Jong stated that he hopes to continue at the club he joined from Ajax in 2019, adding: “I am very happy in Barcelona.
“When I play it is great and in terms of living here life is perfect. I see myself at Barca. Personally, I see myself here eight or 10 more years.”
