In 2019, FC Barcelona was delighted to have overtaken Paris Saint-Germain in the Frenkie De Jong file. At the time, the Blaugranas did not hesitate to put €86 million (bonus included) on the table to afford one of the most coveted young midfielders on the European scene. Seven years later, despite some good performances, the 29-year-old Dutch international (70 caps, 2 goals) has never confirmed all the hopes placed in him. Since his arrival in Catalonia, FDJ has especially shone through his visits to the infirmary. In seven years, the former Ajax Amsterdam resident has had no less than 437 days of unavailability.
Things are getting tense again with Barça
A total that will skyrocket. In mid-July, the Catalan press dropped a bombshell: De Jong suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup… because of the Oranje medical staff. A version that the main interested party confirmed. “During the World Cup, I injured my knee. After the first evaluations, the doctors told me that it was a small injury and that it would not get worse if I continued playing. The only challenge was playing with a bit of pain, but throughout my career I did that whenever I could contribute to the team, whether for my club or my country. During my vacation, I returned to Barcelona for additional exams. These showed that the injury was more serious than initially determined. Fortunately, at this point, no surgery is necessary, and I am now fully focused on my recovery and getting back on the field as quickly as possible. »
A new blow which should keep De Jong away from the field for four months. Fortunately for him, Barça has since recruited world champion Rodri. However, new tensions would exist between FDJ and his club. Friction linked to the player’s choice not to have surgery and to opt for conservative treatment. A rumor that the Batavian denied. Since then, his coach Hansi Flick has chosen not to entrust him with the captain’s armband despite the departures of Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo. “Raphinha will be our captain. I know that Frenkie de Jong was number 3 last year, and the places became available after the departures of Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo. But Frenkie is not available and I have decided on the captains while waiting for the votes because the team is not yet complete. There may still be arrivals and departures, so we will wait to vote. For the moment, Raphinha will be the captain, then Eric Garcia and Pedri”.
De Jong, like Araujo?
A not insignificant event according to Sport. The Catalan newspaper explains that things are heating up again for Frenkie De Jong. The Dutchman was received very coldly by the Camp Nou public during the squad presentation for the Gamper Trophy. A frosty reception which sharply contrasted with the ovation received by Rodri, his main competitor. And in the stands, Barça number 21 had the lead on bad days. “It is no wonder that the footballer displayed an upset look during the match, while sitting in the stands alongside the sidelined players. Curiously, De Jong sat at the very end of the row, next to the young people from the training center, and dressed in his street clothes. A situation that only happened with João Cancelo, who could not wear the Barça outfit since he was not yet officially an FC Barcelona player. His face said it all.”writes the daily. And that’s not all.
At a time when Deco confirmed that there would still be movement between now and the end of the transfer window, further proof of the tension between the two parties could influence De Jong’s future. Sport indeed ensures that several foreign clubs have an eye on the situation and could move by September 1. Frenkie De Jong is certainly injured, but he remains a good experienced player for several teams. A departure would not be a utopia since the Spanish media adds that the Batavian midfielder could experience the same fate as his captain, Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan defender was loaned to Liverpool for a year to get back on track. An option that could suit Barça with De Jong, especially as it would free up a good part of the workforce’s payroll (the Dutchman receives around €20 million/year with a contract until 2029).
