Ex-player doubts Luuk de Jong extension: “The risk is too high” | OneFootball

Luuk de Jong’s future at FC Porto remains uncertain, in a process in which contacts are ongoing between the player and the club to clarify both parties’ intentions, the state of the striker’s recovery, and also the impact of his family on the final decision. The 35-year-old Dutch centre-forward is out of contract in June and, although there is a possibility that the deal could be automatically extended for another season, his stay at the Dragão is far from guaranteed.

In the Netherlands, Jan van Halst, now a pundit and a former player and executive who had spells at clubs such as Twente, Ajax and Vitesse, does not believe his compatriot will continue wearing the dragon on his chest next season, mainly pointing to the serious injury he suffered and the player’s age.

“Of course [the move to FC Porto] was very nice, but we almost forgot about it quickly after that damn injury. I feel very sorry for him, and I think everyone does too. He will still go abroad for one, two or three years, depending on how well his body holds up. In fact, after a few weeks, it already feels like the end of his career. A cruciate ligament injury at that age is really, really difficult to overcome,” he lamented live on “Ziggo Sport”, arguing that FC Porto should not take risks in a possible renewal with De Jong.

“No, the risk is too great. Even for a player of that age to get back to a competitive rhythm... of course he could take part from time to time over the course of the season, but you have to be very careful with him. And the player himself also becomes very cautious, wondering whether he will manage it or not. Maybe [Luuk de Jong] can still score a few goals, but you don’t sign a player just for that. I think the risk is too high. A top club like FC Porto, which will play in the Champions League next year... But you never know,” Van Halst concluded.

De Jong’s situation is linked, above all, to personal and family reasons. In addition to recovering from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, suffered at the end of last year and which led to surgery in December, the Dutch international is also going through a sensitive period on the family front due to the illness of a close relative in the Netherlands. In that context, Luuk de Jong is considering returning to Eindhoven to be closer to his family.

Added to the physical problems are issues related to age. The striker turns 36 in August and is still weighing up the possibility of extending his career. For now, no final decision has been made, although the possibility of him going on to play for a Dutch club has not been ruled out either, should his departure from FC Porto be confirmed.

At this stage, the striker remains focused on his physical recovery, while the decision about his future will be taken calmly and according to how the various personal and professional factors involved develop.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.