Frenkie de Jong cannot agree with criticism about ‘too sweet Orange’: ‘You shouldn’t comment on every bad ball’ | Orange

“It’s not like we never did. If someone doesn’t perform their duties, you have to slap someone on the head. But not if someone gives a bad ball once, that can happen. You shouldn’t comment on every bad ball,” said De Jong.

National coach Ronald Koeman indicated on Monday at the start of the international match period that he thinks the players should demand more from each other. He counts on his experienced internationals for the upcoming international matches. The 26-year-old De Jong is now also part of that. “I don’t know if my role in the field is different now,” said De Jong. ,,Maybe in ‘steering’ the boys. That makes sense when you get older and have more experience. But I don’t think on the field.”

Koeman said on Wednesday that the current generation of football players has it harder in many respects than in his time as a football player. They deserve more respect for that, he thinks. “This generation is not lazy. They are much more involved in their profession than we used to be. Back then you didn’t have cell phones yet, so we could do anything and everything as football players at that time,” said Koeman.

“So much is demanded of the players in today’s football. In competitions, in travel. Frenkie was home at 3 o’clock on Sunday night. After three hours of sleep, he had to board the plane to the Netherlands again. So you have to be very careful with that as well. They play so many games and have to be super fit in everything they do. You can also have some respect for that.”