'It is becoming too robotic' - Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong's bold claims leave football fraternity in shock

Barcelona’s star central midfield Frenkie de Jong has been struggling with an ‘ankle injury’ for the last couple of months. This injury has also forced him to stay out of action for the eight matches in the Barca jersey in the ongoing La Liga 2024-25. The 27-year-old made his first appearance in La Liga 2024-25 on October 6 in the away game against Alaves, which Barcelona won comfortably by 3-0.

Recently, de Jong has come up with some bold and blunt statements during his latest interview. The Dutch international’s remarks on the current patterns in the game of football have left the entire football fraternity in shock.

Last time, it was last month on December 7 when de Jong was in action for Barcelona in the away La Liga clash against Real Betis. He spent 30 minutes on the field for his side, including a yellow card in the 66th minute of the game. Later in the two matches on December 16 and December 22 against CD Leganes and Atletico Madrid, respectively.

Coming back to the Dutchman’s unexpected statement on the modern-day patterns in the game of football, he made it very categorical that the game is Bvery ‘robotic’ nowadays.

“Football is becoming too robotic, too tactical. When I watch other teams, everything is just so… programmed. For example, they start building up and a player is only allowed to play it left right or forward, as long as the triangle is made,” said Frenkie de Jong in an interview with Voetbal International.

“I will have to continue to give it extra attention” – Frenkie de Jong on his ankle injury

Besides that, de Jong also came up with an update on the injury issues with his ankle and what he feels now in the recovery phase from this injury. 

“In the beginning, I was busy with that ankle day and night. As soon as I woke up, I would immediately feel it. Has it gotten bigger? Is there a reaction? Now I've almost forgotten that. However, the ankle has always become something I have to take into account. By that I mean that I will have to continue to give it extra attention, in the form of care. One player has that with his knee, I have that with my ankle,” he said.