Former manager makes shocking claim regarding €75 million ace star's injury return

Unlike many would have expected, FC Barcelona's season start to the 2024/25 campaign has been spectacular. With 24 points off the first nine games, the Blaugrana club currently sits at the table-top La Liga position, dominating their opponents with massive scorelines. The club's performances have been significantly convincing this season.

Former manager makes shocking claim regarding €75 million ace star's injury return

However, perhaps the only thing worrying them so far has been their injury concerns, which haven't seen much improvement even till now. While the Catalan club had entered the season with their superstars, de Jong, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, injured, they have further faced setbacks in Dani Olmo, Fermin, and Ter Stegen's injuries. Moreover, recently, the former FC Barcelona manager's claim about an ace star seems gruesome, who was on the verge of an injury return.

Frenkie de Jong, who has been one of the most consistent mainstays for the Blaugrana club's midfield in recent years, has been nearing a full-fledged injury return. Although he had a few crucial minutes in Barca's recent outings against Young Boys and Alaves, earlier reports indicated that he is still not ready to start for FC Barcelona.

Thus, as was planned by the Blaugrana staff, under Hansi Flick's supervision, de Jong was to continue at the training camp to achieve full fitness for their important games after the international break. Fortunately, recent reports from Diario SPORT had hinted that the ace midfield star might be ready to feature in Barcelona's starting XI. However, the recent statement of FC Barcelona's former manager Ronald Koeman, currently Dutch NT's boss, sounds otherwise regarding de Jong's recovery status.

Speaking on the star player's return possibility, Koeman mentioned,

""I spoke to Frenkie de Jong on the phone. With all due respect, he is still far away from returning 100%. It is too early. He found playing for fifteen minutes exciting and tough. He still needs to play for a while and get into a rhythm.""

- Ronald Koeman

If this is the actual scenario, then things might go a bit off for Hansi Flick's side. Considering that the unit is scheduled to face Sevilla, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid next, de Jong's limited availability could be an issue for FC Barcelona. While there is still a week or so left in their La Liga return fixture, the club would hope that Frenkie de Jong nears his best level, being fully fit for upcoming games.