Frankie de Jong’s future at Barcelona has been seriously questioned following his return from injury, while the coming months may be crucial for continuing the Dutch midfielder’s career at quemp Nouʹ.
According to the Spanish newspaper Diario SPORT, coach Hansi Flick continues to assess De Jong’s qualities, but Barcelona has other plans for organising the midfield and no longer considers Dutch to be the first undisputed choice.
The Catalonas club wants to build the midfield around Rodri, who joined the team during the summer from Manchester City, and Pedri. At the same time, management aims to give more space to academy talents Marc Bernal and Gavi.
The report stresses that relations about the conservative approach to knee injury by De Jong had created tensions in the past. This situation is reported to have influenced Barcelona’s decision to ensure Rodri’s transfer.
Meanwhile, Flick has also experimented with De Jong in the position of the quarterback during training sessions, in an effort to cover up shortages in the department and to have more tactical alternatives.
The next two months could be crucial to the Dutch’s future. If he continues to have a secondary role and remain in the reserve bank, a departure from Barcelona can become acceptable solutions to both sides.
At the moment, it’s not about a confirmed departure, but reports suggest that De Jong’s position in Barcelona’s long-term plans is no longer safe./Telegraphy/