Frenkie de Jong has hailed Ansu Fati and his importance to this Barcelona outfit, following his heroics in the weekend win against Valencia.
Speaking to Movistar+ after their 3-1 victory over Valencia, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has claimed that the team are lucky to have Ansu Fati back and among the goals after his injury woes.
The 18-year-old Fati burst onto the scenes in 2019/20, but spent large parts of the last season out on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury. Having been out since November last year, the Spanish winger returned to action just before the international break earlier this month and made an immediate impact, scoring in the win against Levante.
Making his first start against Valencia this past weekend, Fati was in full flow, as he helped Barcelona seal a comeback 3-1 victory, contributing with a goal, while also winning a penalty that paved the way back for his team.
Speaking in the aftermath, midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been one of the few positives in a difficult start to the season for Barcelona, hailed Ansu Fati’s impact, insisting that it was important for the Catalan giants to have the La Masia graduate back in the side and making key contributions.
Ansu Fati has scored two goals in his first 48 minutes of LaLiga football so far this season.
Ridiculous considering he was out for nearly a year. ? pic.twitter.com/fNd1QtioZQ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 17, 2021
“It was important to win the game. It’s an important week for us but it was a pity when they scored so early. We reacted well to going a goal down and played with intensity after that. Ansu [Fati] is really important for us and he also has goals in him. We’re lucky that he is back and among the goals,” he said.
Fati, in his short career with Barcelona, has already made a tremendous impact. The 18-year-old has made 47 appearances for the Blaugrana so far, scoring 15 goals and setting up six more. He also has featured four times for the Spanish national team, finding the back of the net on one occasion.
Fati was handed the No. 10 jersey by Barcelona this season following the exit of Lionel Messi in the summer, indicating the faith that they have in their academy graduate. Talks of a new contract are also progressing, amid interest from Manchester City.
