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In the January transfer window, Barcelona confirmed the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax for €75million. In hindsight, the amount spend by Barcelona on such a young player might seem to be high but after watching de Jong dominating world class midfielders in the UEFA Champions League, the price would seem fair.
The 22-year-old is just the kind of player that Barcelona are known to attract. The Dutch international is calm under possession and he has a good eye for passing. He fits in perfectly into the Barcelona system and with Sergio Busquets on the wrong side of age, Frenkie might prove to be a long term replacement for the Spaniard.
So, in this article, we take a look at the three ways Barcelona could possibly lineup with Frenkie de Jong:
#1 In a 4-3-3
Frenkie de Jong can fit seamlessly into the traditional Barcelona system of 4-3-3. He can play alongside Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal as a left-sided midfielder. As he did in his Ajax days, the Dutchman can play in a three-man midfield and he would be more comfortable in a 4-3-3.
De Jong, Busquets, and Vidal will form a calm and fiery midfield. Vidal will be the more attacking one of the three and de Jong could play the role of a deep-lying playmaker, while Busquets can occupy his usual place at defensive midfield.
#2 In a 4-2-3-1
Frenkie can also play in a two-man midfield alongside Busquets and provide a solid base for the attackers to work with. This formation can also allow Ernesto Valverde to play both Ousmane Dembele and Phillipe Coutinho together, while Lionel Messi can play as a number 10, just behind the striker.
The Dutchman doesn't really have the experience to play in a 4-2-3-1 but he can definitely adjust his game. This is another way Barcelona could lineup with the Netherlands international.
#3 In a 3-5-2
Barcelona aren't really known to play in a 3-at-the-back system but judging by how their wingers have fared this season, there is a chance we may see them go with a 3-5-2. Frenkie de Jong could lineup alongside Busquets and Vidal in a three-man midfield, while Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo can be the wingbacks.
Messi and Luis Suarez could a deadly front two and Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet could form a solid back three. There is a very low chance of seeing Barcelona with this formation, but in football, anything can happen.
