Frenkie de Jong can hold head high despite Netherlands' Euro 2020 exit

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By Conor Laird

Published: June 27, 2021 8:30 pm

Last Updated: June 27, 2021 8:37 pm

A remarkable statistic, highlighting Frenkie de Jong’s stellar efforts for the Netherlands at this summer’s European Championships, has come to the fore online this evening.

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Schick at it again

De Jong was of course back in action a short time ago, as the Dutch faced off with the Czech Republic, eyeing a spot in the Euros’ quarter-finals.

The Oranje headed into proceedings as heavy favourites to do exactly that, on the back of an impressive group stage showing, which saw them rattle off a trio of consecutive victories.

When all was said and done in Budapest on Sunday, though, Frank de Boer’s men were brought back down to earth with a bang.

A stout Czech outfit, led by captain Tomas Soucek, eventually emerged on the right side of a 2-0 scoreline, to send their heavyweight opponents packing.

Tomas Holes opened the game’s scoring a little over twenty minutes from time, before Patrik Schick killed off any remaining hope of a Dutch comeback with his 4th of the tournament late on:

Euro 2020 really is Patrik Schick’s playground 🎡

The #CZE striker has his fourth goal of the tournament – and unless something dramatic happens now, #NED are going home 🧳#NEDCZE | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/VHdl2ps5Yx

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 27, 2021

De Jong masterclass

The Netherlands, in turn, will head home with their tails tucked firmly between their legs, on the back of the latest in the country’s ever-lengthening string of underwhelming showings at a major tournament.

Amid the fallout for the Oranje, however, one member of de Boer’s squad can continue to hold his head high this evening.

The player in question? Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona man de Jong was handed the keys to the Dutch midfield this summer, with Gini Wijnaldum deployed in a more advanced role, and Marten de Roon’s primary objective to win back possession.

And to say that de Jong went on to take full advantage of the responsibility afforded to him would be an understatement. The 24-year-old quietly and confidently went about his business, linking defence to attack with consummate ease, whilst inspiring confidence in all around him.

De Jong’s passing ability is of the highest calibre, with his stamina and tackling prowess also ever-improving.

Without doubt, though, the standout trait boasted by the former Ajax man comes in the form of his dribbling ability. De Jong ghosts past opposing players as if they are not there time and time again over the course of 90 minutes, with his remarkable exploits in doing exactly that over the last couple of weeks perfectly highlighted by the following statistic.

The midfielder, on the back of his display versus the Czech Republic, has racked up a total of 16 completed take-ons at this summer’s tournament, a full five more than any other player:

Most take-ons completed at #EURO2020:

🇳🇱 Frenkie de Jong (16)
🇩🇰 Joakim Maehle (11)
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe (8)
🇭🇷 Mateo Kovacic (8)
🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne (8)
🇨🇭 Breel Embolo (8)
🇸🇪 Aleksander Isak (8)
🇩🇰 Mikkel Damsgaard (8)

Will anyone catch Frenkie? pic.twitter.com/JYlcBHaoSk

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2021