Frenkie de Jong says he thinks he belongs in Hansi Flick’s starting XI at Barcelona and certainly doesn’t want to get used to being a substitute.
The Dutchman is back to full fitness after a knee injury but is still waiting for his first minutes this season at Barcelona.
De Jong’s been asked about his current role and says he doesn’t want to get used to being a substitute.
“I think I belong in that team and I feel I can play there. Who I play with doesn’t matter too much to me,” he told Ziggo Sport.
“No, and I don’t want to get used to that. But of course I understand the current situation, especially after a long absence from the pitch. I know the return has to be gradual, and that I’m not going to start matches right away, but in the long run I want to play consistently. My goal is to get back into the starting eleven as soon as possible.
“I think we have a lot of quality, especially from a technical point of view. Almost all the players have a very high level in the fundamentals of football, and that gives the team a great advantage.”
De Jong is not expected to start against Real Madrid on Sunday but may get some minutes off the bench at Camp Nou.