FinnGooner said:MutableEarth said:Stats usually only tell half the story but......
De Jong played on average around 60 passes and completed at least 90% of them. On average he completes 10 long balls per game. He has a decent return when it comes to tackles and interceptions too. All-in-all, seems to be a solid DM who is actually good on the ball. His problem must be - like Balotelli - that he plays for a heavily declining Milan team.
EDIT: he also on average commits one foul a game. 9 yellows, no reds. Not quite as hot-headed as often cited, it would appear. Where I see a problem as far as competing with "modern DMs" is that of his passes, very very few of them are of a creative variety. Don't expect De Jong to put too many through-balls, but he is clearly capable of passing the ball at least well enough that we can recycle possession.
Do I want him?
Wouldn't be my first choice (didn't even think of him as an option!) but I'd take him. He also has the ever-precious "PL experience"
If you go with the stats then why bother at all. Arteta's are higly similar but a bit better (although they are not simolar players, are they?). The problem with de Jong is exactly what you already stated. He just gives the ball to the next guy or a log ball to free space without actually creating anything significant. We need a guy who can turn the interception or tackle quickly into attack.
I would agree with this, but if we do sign a player like that, I fear it won't be a Schneiderlin or a Gustavo. It will probably be someone unexpected. I didn't expect a De Jong link, so it won't be the first surprise.