The 20-year-old has not found his best form at Camp Nou since joining Ajax in the summer but is confident in his own potential.
Sergino Dest admits his confidence has been hit hard since moving to Barcelona, but Ronald Koeman has backed his legs at Camp Nou.
The United States international joined Ajax amid a bit of fanfare in the last transfer window and has played in 15 of Barca ‘s 17 games in La Liga so far this season.
Dest has never been at the best in Spain but he believes in his own ability to get over a difficult start in the life of his new club.
“For me, it’s important to regain that confidence because I’m feeling a little insecure right now,” Dest said. The World of La Liga.
“That’s the most important thing for me right now: get the confidence back and play like I used to play and then I think I have a lot of potential.”
Ronald Koeman could not force Dest to avoid the USMNT for the Netherlands during his time as national team manager but he is happy to work with him at club level.
Koeman knows how difficult it is to transition to a new club and league, and has helped him find his rhythm.
“Sergino has played a lot of games and this is just his first season with Barca,” Koeman said in a news conference Saturday.
“He is a very young player and it is complicated for the youngsters. He is injured but it looks like he got over it and we will decide on Sunday whether he will start or whether he is on the bench.
“I hope he doesn’t have more problems with injuries, that he can regain some rhythm and provide competition.”
Barcelona travel to Elche on Sunday, hoping to extend their unbeaten run to nine games in the league.
They have gotten off to a terrible start to the season but are still to be found a short distance away at the top of the league.
Atletico Madrid are 10 points ahead of Barca with a game in hand. Barca return to the Copa del Rey action against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday ahead of league matches against Athletic Club, Real Betis and Deportivo Alaves, ahead of the Champions League competition with PSG on 16 February.