🚨Barcelona plans to sell Frenkie De Jong this summer.
This comes on the back of reports that the Catalans need to sell €100m worth of players this summer.
De Jong will have many suitors, but is he worth €100m?
No.
Here's why 🧵👇
(1/8)
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The TLDR: midfielders like Aleix Garcia and Martin Zubimendi are also likely available this summer, and their clubs' asking prices will be much lower.
"But Frenkie De Jong is better than both those players".
Probably, but by how much? This thread compares the trio across all aspects of the game. All statistics are from the '23/24 La Liga campaign.
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Possession Comparions Findings:
- De Jong sees by far the most of the ball due to Barcelona having the highest possession of the three teams.
- Garcia & De Jong see very similar shares of their teams possession in each third.
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Goal Contribution Findings:
- Despite having the fewest attacking third touches, Zubimendi has the highest share of expected goal contributions.
- Aleix Garcia contributes more than De Jong in total, and has a higher share of the team's total.
(4/8)
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Progressive Action Findings:
- De Jong excels here (especially for carries), both in aggregate and as a share of the team's progressive actions.
- Garcia is not far behind in passing.
- I wonder if the PrgC disparity is due to the technical ability on Girona's wings to carry the ball forward (Savio, Yan Couto), vs the lack there of on Barcelona's.
- Zubimendi lags behind De Jong in both categories.
(5/8)
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Pass Accuracy Findings:
- Zubimendi has not completed a cross in 3 attempts this season.
- Aleix Garcia and De Jong are once again very comparable.
(6/8)
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Defensive Actions Findings:
- De Jong has a clear lead on tackles won, but Garcia and Zubimendi clear on interceptions.
- All three provide a solid, but not exceptional defensive presence.
(7/8)
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So, why isn't De Jong worth €100m?
Aleix Garcia could be be bought for a third of the price, and Martin Zubimendi for half the price.
If you want the defensive oriented player, buy Zubimendi.
If you want the creative box-to-box, and more like-for-like to De Jong, buy Garcia.
I get the feeling some Premier League club will pay Jude Bellingham money for De Jong, and Barca will scoop up Garcia and net €60m.
(8/8)
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