OPINION
As a general rule, if a player has managed to secure a £65 million move to Barcelona by the age of 21, he probably has a bit in his locker.
That is certainly the case with Frenkie de Jong. The young Dutchman has been a revelation at Ajax this season, and after agreeing terms on a huge summer move to the Catalan giants, he is well on his way to becoming one of the most impressive players in world football.
That is no exaggeration, and if you are in any doubt, listen to Martin Jol’s assessment of the youngster.
Speaking to the Guardian before Tottenham face Ajax in the last four of the Champions League, he said: “As a Dutchman it goes against my principles to say this but Spurs have to stop Frenkie de Jong. He is unbelievable.
“You have never seen a player like him. He is like Johan Cruyff in the pass but deeper and if he can’t pass it he runs away from you.
“Since De Jong came on to the international scene last year, the Netherlands team has developed. Before him, we did not go to the Euros or the World Cup but with him we are a very good country again. We have beaten Germany, we have beaten France and it’s only because of him. You have to stop him. If you don’t, he will kill you.”
As far as superlative reviews go, they don’t get much more fierce than that from Jol.
And while the Dutchman may be employing a bit of poetic licence to describe his country’s hottest new starlet, the core of his message holds true.
De Jong will run the midfield, especially if Spurs are lacking in personnel in that department.
Harry Winks is out, Moussa Sissoko is touch and go, and Eric Dier has looked rusty in recent outings.
All of that will mean Tottenham will surely be terrified of the threat de Jong could pose.
If they can stop him, happy days, but that will be a lot easier said than done.
Ajax should not be underestimated, and if Jol’s warning is anything to go by, de Jong could be the most dangerous proposition of them all.