Why Nigel De Jong Is the Key Cog in the AC Milan Midfield

In the semi-final of the World Cup in Brazil, the Netherlands, then under the management of Louis van Gaal, faced Argentina—one of the nations often touted as huge challengers for the title.

Earlier in the tournament, the Dutch had faced a couple of strong opponents—and won. During the group stage, Spain and Chile were brushed aside, and in the round of 16, Mexico was defeated after an intense battle.

All of these teams were able to field some of the world’s best players. Spain, for example, had the likes of Andres Iniesta and Diego Costa in their midst. Chile had Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas.

But against Argentina, Oranje were up against Lionel Messi, the player generally regarded to be either the best in the world or the second best in the world.

Luckily for the Dutch, Messi played most of his matches as a No. 10. That meant they could use their best defensive midfielder to chase him around the pitch like a mad dog.

That defensive midfielder was Nigel de Jong, who had just made a miraculous return to fitness after suffering an injury earlier in the tournament.

De Jong managed to do what was asked of him, and for the first half at least, Messi’s influence was largely nullified. 

Basically, De Jong was asked to make the potentially riveting showdown between two of the best countries in the world into a boring match of slow-moving football. In that, he succeeded.

"

Salute ♦️ #Dedication #Beastmode #RedandBlackArmy #34 pic.twitter.com/XDE3ialOfU

— Nigel de Jong (@NDJ_Official) September 15, 2014"

Positioned at the base of midfield, just behind a selection of midfielders tasked with more creative, forward-thinking duties, the Dutch defensive midfielder has a similar function at his club AC Milan.

According to Squawka, De Jong averaged five defensive actions per match during the 2013-14 season. In total, he made 92 interceptions and 10 blocks. In the meanwhile, he also created 20 chances and scored two goals.

It is the classic role of the so-called “destroyer.” Making interceptions and regaining possession single-handedly, De Jong breaks up the opposition’s play and hands the ball over to his team-mates with a simple short pass.

"

Andrea Poli completed 89% of his passes in Serie A last season. Only Nigel de Jong managed a higher percentage for Milan (91%).

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 29, 2014"

The value of this type of player is not to be underestimated, especially when the player in question is of De Jong’s quality.

Where players like Jeremy Menez attempt to set the ship sailing, De Jong is the anchor, making sure a balance between the defensive line and midfield—the zone where creative attacking players mostly function—exists. 

In that semi-final against Argentina, that creative player was Lionel Messi. But De Jong will do a job on most attacking players he’s faced with. Tell the Dutchman to chase his opponent around the pitch for 90 minutes, to harass him and to bite his ankles, and De Jong will do it.

The ideal midfield is an intricate machine that works by virtue of the input of different types of players. It is a machine that will only work if the different cogs work in tandem. Like he was for the Dutch national team during the World Cup, De Jong is the key cog in the AC Milan midfield.