The stats that show Luuk de Jong has been one of Europe’s most underrated transfers
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 13 Apr 2022 22:06 BST
- 3 min read
Eyebrows were raised when Barcelona signed Luuk De Jong on deadline day last summer but the on-loan striker has proven to be a useful acquisition.
De Jong had only scored 10 goals in 69 games for Sevilla, however Barcelona were desperate for fire-power having lost Lionel Messi earlier in the window.
With physicality also a concern for the team, then-manager Ronald Koeman chose to trust in his Dutch compatriot and moved for the 6ft 2in striker.
Six goals later, some would describe the forward’s return as underwhelming, however a deeper dive into the numbers suggests De Jong may deserve more credit.
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What is so good about Luuk De Jong?
De Jong has featured 16 times in the league for Barcelona this season, however all but six of his appearances have come off the bench.
The former PSV man has only played a total of 19 minutes in his last four appearances yet he has scored three goals during that time.
He has played just 577 minutes in the league but his six strikes gives him an average of a goal every 96.1 minutes – only Pichichi front runner Karim Benzema has a better record (92.8 minutes.)
Furthermore, De Jong has single-handedly won Barcelona seven points due to his goals, including a last-minute winner against Levante in his latest outing.
De Jong’s redemption since Xavi replaced Koeman as manager in November has seen him become a crucial player for Barca despite his limited minutes.
"It's a privilege for me to have him in the team"
— Xavi on @LuukdeJong9 pic.twitter.com/t2aOffuOam— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 13, 2022
The January arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang allowed De Jong to operate without the pressure of being the lead striker for the Catalan side.
Aubameyang’s goals have also been a factor in Barcelona’s rise up the table and the form of their forwards have opened up a four-point cushion in the Champions League spots.
De Jong himself will be looking to continue making the most of his cameos in the hope he can earn a permanent move in the summer and ensure he is in contention for a World Cup place later this year.
