Former Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart is convinced Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is fed-up with his critics.

De Jong, after Holland's draw with Nations League qualifying opponents Italy, spoke of pundits taking aim at him this season.

He said, "It is a job for some people. There are many people who are analysts for their work. They are also allowed to think about games and that is not bad at all.

"But then you create a mood among the fans. The mood is that it is bad, but we as a team do not feel it that way."

Van der Vaart, in the NOS studio, replied: "He gives nice interviews.

"Players hate analysts. I had that myself. That's just how it works: as a player you have a different image of a match. I have also thought: if there is an analyst under my car, then I accelerate!

"They talk about it. They say it doesn't hurt them, but it does something to them."