The Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong faces an extended absence from the pitch after suffering a severe knee injury. On Jeudi, it was confirmed that de Jong sustained a complete tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, an injury necessitating surgery and a recovery period projected to last between five to six months.
According to reports from AS, Barcelona does not anticipate the midfielder’s return before Janvier 2027, marking a significant blow to the club’s plans for the upcoming seasons.
A crushing blow for Flick
This development presents a major challenge for Hansi Flick, who counts de Jong as a key component in Barcelona’s midfield. The unexpected loss has forced the club to reconsider squad rotation and strategic options. The sporting committee, led by Deco, is now tasked with reevaluating their plans, including the potential promotion or transfer of younger talents like Marc Casadó. Although the defensive midfield position has some cover through players such as Marc Bernal, Eric García, Gavi, and emergency options like Xavi Espart or Andreas Christensen, replacing de Jong’s influence remains a significant challenge.
Barcelona furious over injury management
Inside the club, frustration and anger have mounted regarding the circumstances surrounding de Jong’s injury during his international duty with the Dutch national team. AS reports that Barcelona believes de Jong played through an existing injury in the Netherlands’ recent match against Morocco, enduring 110 minutes on the field despite receiving a pre-game injection intended to mask the pain.
The club was not informed of these details at the time, exacerbating their dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled by the national team’s medical staff. This lack of communication has compounded the frustration within Barcelona as they now face the challenge of managing without one of their most pivotal players for a substantial period.