De Jong has finally returned to full fitness after a series of injuries that appeared to end his Blaugrana career.
The former Ajax playmaker has been recalled to the club in recent weeks, alongside a recall to the Oranje squad, for November’s two Nations League matches.
He started his first international match in 14 months in the midweek win over Hungary, but his future remains uncertain. Marco van Basten has called for the focus on De Jong to be reduced to allow the 27-year-old to return to his best at his own pace.
A return to Ajax?
However, another Dutch legend has gone further, with former Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart saying he would be better served by a surprise return to Ajax, if Barcelona facilitate a sale in the coming months.
“He had a great match against Hungary, but he can and must do better. “He has achieved a lot, but now he has to stay in shape”according to Diario AS.
“He is a fantastic player who will be very useful to the Dutch team. If it were up to me, I would tell him to go home (to Ajax). He no longer needs to travel. »
De Jong is expected to retain his starting place for the Netherlands’ final match of 2024, which takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 19.
