Relations between FC Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have soured dramatically. According to insider Gerard Romero, the Dutchman is intentionally delaying the confirmation of a diagnosis on his knee injury.
The reasoning? He knows his time under Hansi Flick is effectively over and is looking to buy himself some time in search of a transfer before the market closes.
De Jong is an intelligent player, and he reads what's going on around him. In the current situation, that would be Flick.
The German tactician has made it clear, by his team selections and tactical setup, that the Dutchman is no longer an untouchable element of the starting XI. Instead of sitting on the bench or stuck in medical limbo all summer, he wants full control of his own transfer.
The logic behind the delay
Normally players request results of medical examinations to begin rehabilitation and treatment as soon as possible. De Jong is doing the opposite.
His entourage wants precise information regarding his recovery time and the type of treatment that he would require (surgery or a rehabilitation period) before making a decision. The reasoning behind it is as follows:
- Minor injury that can be fixed quickly: It would allow him to convince clubs interested in signing him of the fact before the window closes.
- Serious surgery that keeps him out of play for some time: That would mean there is no longer possibility of finding a club in the summer, and he remains in his enormous Barcelona wage packet.
This way, De Jong keeps himself somewhat in the picture in the market, while his agent probes for interested parties for a few extra days.
What's next?
Barcelona is in an awkward position. They need an official medical report to adjust the squad registration, and determine whether they need to find a substitute midfielder.
De Jong currently has the final word. Should he find interested clubs that are willing to bet on him and pay his wages, he'll force his way through the exit door. Otherwise, the club will have to deal with a costly, unhappy player who knows his coach has already moved on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google