De Jong and Koundé guide Bisiwu. Raphinha impresses him most

Jesse Bisiwu is still getting to know Barcelona, but he has already found two guides inside the dressing room. Frenkie de Jong and Jules Koundé have been helping the young winger settle in, while Raphinha has made the biggest impression on him during training.

The 18-year-old discussed his first weeks at the club in an interview with Belgian newspaper “Het Laatste Nieuws”. He explained that the first-team players had welcomed him warmly, with De Jong and Koundé offering particularly important support.

The choices are hardly accidental. Bisiwu can speak Dutch with De Jong and French with Koundé. He also plans to attend Spanish lessons organised by Barcelona.

“I think it is important to be able to communicate fluently with everyone,” Bisiwu said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

The winger admitted that the level and intensity of Barcelona’s training sessions are much higher than he experienced at Club Brugge. Asked which player had impressed him most, however, he did not choose Lamine Yamal, Pedri or either of his two guides.

“Raphinha, without a doubt. I find it incredible how he gives 100 per cent in every training session,” the Belgian explained.

It is a revealing choice. Bisiwu is not only impressed by Raphinha’s technical ability but also by his daily work rate. For an 18-year-old attempting to break into the first team, there is probably no clearer Barcelona instruction manual: talent opens the door, but somebody still has to do the running.

Bisiwu is also eager to play alongside Lamine Yamal more regularly. The pair have already combined during the friendly against Basel. Yamal created one of the Belgian’s goals as Bisiwu came off the bench and scored twice in less than two minutes. Barcelona’s official website documented his rapid double.

“Lamine is obviously a fantastic player. Because of his qualities and style of play, I am really looking forward to playing alongside him,” Bisiwu said.

Barcelona signed the winger from Club Brugge on a contract running until 30 June 2031. He took part in the first team’s preseason preparations but is also receiving minutes with Barça Atlètic. According to “Mundo Deportivo”, documentation issues must still be resolved before he can become fully involved in Hansi Flick’s senior setup.

The early plan is clear. De Jong helps with the language, Koundé with the dressing room and Raphinha provides the working standard. By Barcelona standards, the adaptation process sounds surprisingly practical. Only the traditional paperwork chapter remains.