The Dutchman travels this Monday with the Blaugrana expedition to England for the pre-season stage, despite having a tear of the medial ligament in his right knee that will keep him out for three to five months.
Frenkie de Jong has travelled this Monday with the rest of the FC Barcelona expedition to England, where the Blaugrana team is holding a pre-season stage. He did so despite carrying a serious knee injury that has kept him off the pitch since the World Cup. The decision, made exclusively by coach Hansi Flick, has surprised the dressing room, as the club itself had assumed that the Dutchman would stay in Barcelona to complete his recovery.
The club's medical statement, released on July 23, confirmed a tear of the medial ligament in the right knee. The medical staff ruled out surgery for now and set a recovery period of three to five months. De Jong had been struggling with the injury since the round of 16 of the World Cup against Morocco, a match in which he pushed himself to help the Netherlands despite the discomfort in his knee. The player himself later explained, in a personal statement, that the national team's doctors had initially assured him that the injury was minor and that he could continue competing.
As soon as he learned he would travel despite his physical condition, De Jong sought explanations from the sporting director, Deco, and the president, Joan Laporta. Both conveyed to him that the call-up for the tour was solely Hansi Flick's decision, leaving no room for the sporting management or the presidency. Within the dressing room, the midfielder's inclusion in the expedition, despite being unable to train with the group, has been interpreted as a message from the German coach, who remains upset with the player and the Dutch federation for the issues he faced during the World Cup.
De Jong's absence leaves Flick without one of his key midfielders just as Barça finalises preparations ahead of the league start. While the conservative treatment lasts, the coach will have to distribute minutes among Pedri, Marc Casadó, and the academy players already rotating in the midfield. De Jong, for his part, will train separately under the supervision of the medical staff who are also part of the expedition to England.
For FC Barcelona fans, the situation generates uncertainty. The club, which is already facing player registration issues due to salary cap limits, sees one of its key pieces sidelined for several months. The stage in England will also serve for Flick to evaluate the young talents from the academy, who will need to fill the gap left by the Dutchman. Barça's next official commitment will be the first league match, scheduled for mid-August. Until then, the German coach will have to decide whether to rely on the experience of Pedri or the emergence of Casadó and other academy players.
De Jong's injury reopens the debate about the management of players by national teams. The player had already reported that the Dutch medical staff downplayed the extent of his injury, allowing him to play in the World Cup. Now, Barça is paying the consequences. Flick, for his part, has made it clear that the player is not staying in Barcelona for technical reasons, but must follow the recovery plan under the club's supervision, even if it means travelling to England.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana expedition is already in England, where the team will play several pre-season friendlies. De Jong will follow a specific recovery plan, with physiotherapy exercises and gym work, away from the group. His return to the pitch is not expected, at the earliest, until the end of October, if progress is favourable.
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