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'Witch hunt' is over but bruised De Jong won't change ways

By Chris Wheeler
Last updated at 10:27 PM on 15th April 2011

Nine months on from that challenge and Nigel de Jong is an unchanged man. Slightly more guarded, perhaps. Bruised by the ‘witch hunt’ that left a longer-lasting impression than his studs on Xabi Alonso’s chest in the World Cup final.

But as he steps back on to the big stage at Wembley on Saturday, Manchester City’s Dutch enforcer will go in as hard as ever. Offer no quarter and expect none in return.

It is why he loves football, loved watching Roy Keane and Edgar Davids, and why he jumped at the chance to be part of occasions like the titanic FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Ouch! Nigel de Jong hit the headlines with this astonishing 'tackle' on Spain's Xabi Alonso

‘The thing is I’m still the same player,’ says De Jong. ‘I still give 100 per cent in every game. I always try my best for my club or country.

‘But it’s not like I only give challenges and then cry about it when I get a challenge back. I’m not like that. You have to pick yourself up and dust yourself down.

‘If you make a good challenge, shake hands and that’s it. No hard feelings. As long as there’s no intention (to harm), there’s not a problem.

‘That’s my perception of  English football and that’s why I came here. I watched how the culture was here and I loved it as a small kid when Roy Keane went in to a hard tackle.

‘When Keane and Paul Scholes were there, every opponent knew there was no chance with them in United’s midfield.