Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is confident he can a place in coach Ernesto Valverde's plans.

De Jong feels that competition is part and parcel of being at a top club.

"[Competition] seems normal to me at a club like Barcelona, one of the biggest teams in the world," he told Mundo Deportivo and Sport.

"I will have a lot of competition but I want to show in training that I can be a starter.

"The coach can decide," he added.

Ivan Rakitic, who played more minutes than any other midfielder last season at Barcelona, had previously stated that De Jong was not going to take his place, though the Dutchman was keen to downplay any spat between the two.

"We have spoken about many things, I believe he is a great player whom I respect a lot.

"He has given a lot to this club and has achieved great things in his career, he is an example to me.

"I'm not going to say that I have come to play in his position. I do not care about the position, I just want to play and I do not care where."