Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, is reportedly not pleased with the performance of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, as per Spanish media reports. De Jong, who is one of the highest earners in LaLiga, has been facing criticism for his lackluster performances and frequent injury issues, which have kept him off the field more than on it in recent times.
After making a comeback from an ankle injury, De Jong was left on the bench as an unused substitute during Barcelona’s 5-1 victory over Sevilla. Reports suggest that Flick’s decision was not based on tactics or fitness concerns but was rather a deliberate move to send a message to the Dutch midfielder. Flick apparently wanted to give De Jong a wake-up call by making him warm up for the entire second half without bringing him into the game.
While the exact reason for Flick’s discontent with De Jong remains undisclosed, it is clear that the midfielder’s future at Barcelona is uncertain. Despite ongoing contract extension talks with the club, De Jong’s injury record and high cost could make it challenging for Barcelona to offload him if a suitable offer comes in. However, rumors linking De Jong to other clubs, such as Manchester United, persist.
Flick’s handling of De Jong in the coming matches will be closely watched, especially after the recent incident. The coach had previously benched right-back Jules Kounde for disciplinary reasons, indicating that he is not afraid to take action against underperforming players. De Jong’s form and fitness will likely play a significant role in determining his role in the team moving forward, as Flick assesses the midfielder’s contributions on the field.
