Barcelona are growing increasingly impatient with Frenkie de Jong, who continues to have physical problems. There seems to be no end to the wait for manager Hansi Flick to get the midfielder fully fit.
De Jong recently recovered from a five-month absence due to an ankle problem, but is currently suffering from mild muscle discomfort, which has derailed his goal of returning to top form. .
As such, AS reports that there is pessimism regarding De Jong’s fitness ahead of tonight’s La Ligament game against Sevilla.
On the eve of the match, Flick was clear about his plans, saying he was preparing De Jong to start against Sevilla.
The German manager has consistently expressed his unwavering faith in the Dutch midfielder, praising his ability to penetrate the defensive line, his vertical play and his knack for making incredible runs into the opposition box.
Another setback? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
However, the coach admitted that De Jong felt some muscle discomfort during Friday’s training, casting doubt on his starting position.
De Jong has had limited minutes this season, playing nine minutes against Alaves and 15 minutes against Young Boys in the Champions League.
After these brief appearances, it was expected that the international break would give him a chance to regain confidence and regain form.
Coach Flick had intended to give him a starting role against Sevilla this Sunday, but an unexpected muscle problem unrelated to his ankle has put his ability not only in the starting lineup, but even in the matchday squad, in jeopardy. It became.
Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman admitted last week that De Jong was “scared and far from 100%.” Three injuries to his right ankle affected his confidence and he avoided returning until he was completely pain-free. This warning may explain why he reported even slight discomfort.
De Jong will test his fitness in a activation session on Sunday morning, but there is an air of pessimism regarding his fitness and availability against Sevilla, especially given his history of recent setbacks.
