Grob wrote:
De Jong is a better version of Gelson Fernandes. He's no Claude Makalele but Makalele was no Claude Maklele himself untill his late 20's and 30's. De Jong is 24.
What De Jong needs to work on his is quality of pass and the ability to begin attacks. His passing is below par predominenty. It doesnt matter how much he wins the ball if he continually gives it away.
De Jong is not a better version of Gelson: Gelson had zero discipline - the man ran round like a headless chicken. Positionally De Jong is very good.
You're very right about the development of that kind of player though/Makelele - I've said that above like - read of the game can only improve with vintage.
This "continually gives it away" thing is a myth though... certainly based on yesterday. De Jong made unsuccessful passes 6 times (out of 37); Barry 4 times (in open play - out of 25); Ireland 3 (out of only 12); SWP was 5 (out of 12); Richards 8 (of 20); and Bellamy 5 (of 23).
Bridge, Lescott and Toure were all superb though - only 6 misplaced passes between them (out of 66). Adebayor - bearing in mind how isolated he was at times - made 2 unsuccessful passes in the whole game (out of 22)... world class really.
So De Jong - who's made the most passes in the team - had 84% completion. That's identical to Barry (who made 1/3 fewer passes) and better as a percentage than everyone except the CBs, Adebayor and Bridge.
All we are saying is give Doug a pass.