Hansi Flick could be facing his first major selection headache before Barcelona's season has even properly begun, with reports suggesting Frenkie de Jong is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Dutch midfielder reportedly sustained the injury during the World Cup, with the issue believed to have been aggravated by the physical problems that troubled him towards the end of last season. He underwent medical tests at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva after returning to the club this week.
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, De Jong is being assessed for a possible ligament injury in his right knee, with early estimates suggesting he could be sidelined for four to five months.
Barcelona are taking a cautious approach and have yet to issue an official medical update, preferring to wait for the results of further tests before confirming the full extent of the injury. At this stage, there is no indication De Jong will require surgery, which would likely extend his recovery time.
However, AS reports that Barcelona's medical staff were already aware the midfielder had been struggling with knee discomfort during the latter stages of the Club World Cup, where he reportedly relied on painkilling injections to continue playing.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, Flick will be without one of his most influential midfielders at the start of a campaign in which Barcelona are aiming to defend their La Liga title and mount a serious challenge for the Champions League.
Does he invest or keep?
The big question now is whether Barcelona will still consider allowing homegrown midfielder Marc Casadó to leave, with reports valuing him at around €30–40 million. Interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and across Europe has been strong, and a sale had been viewed as a potential way to raise funds for new signings, particularly a move for Julián Álvarez. However, with Frenkie de Jong's fitness now in doubt, Casadó's importance to the squad has increased significantly ahead of the new season.
The German must weigh up his value to the squad with Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo all coming back late to pre-season, whether world champions or not.
Similarly, Marc Bernal is expected to play a key role in the coming months, making any prospect of a loan move highly unlikely. If Barcelona are able to generate funds elsewhere, they could instead turn their attention to strengthening the midfield, with several standout performers from the World Cup likely to feature on Hansi Flick's shortlist.
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