Perhaps the most delightful news in Barcelona’s remarkable ascension since Xavi Hernández became the manager is the redemption of Luuk De Jong. After arriving on loan in the last day of the summer transfer window, the Dutchman was the target of much ridicule by a large portion of the Barça fanbase, chosen almost as the symbol of Ronald Koeman’s reign of terror.
Xavi clearly didn’t count on De Jong in his early days as manager, but the Dutch striker kept working and waiting for his chance. And as fate would have it a massive Covid-19 outbreak in the beginning of January that wiped out the entire starting frontline forced Xavi to play Big Luuk in the starting lineup, and the rest is history.