Signed from Ajax ahead of the 2019/20 season, Frenkie De Jong has proven his transfer fee's every penny worth at the Catalan club. Having 38 goal contributions so far for FC Barcelona, the box-to-box midfielder has been ever-present at the heart of Barca's midfield since joining the club in July 2019.
De Jong's injury proved fatal for Barca
Being a regular starter at the Catalan club, his on-and-off movements due to ankle injury proved vital for them, as Barca lost track of the League title far before the final matchdays. The last El Clasico fixture, scheduled in April, proved fatal for Barca as the Catalan midfielder faced an injury, forcing Xavi to sub him off. The match, which stood 1-1 till his presence, finished 3-2 against Barca as a late winner from Bellingham stretched apart the difference between the points of the two clubs.
Unable to recover before the 2024/25 season, De Jong's injury was a crucial setback for the Dutch team as Ronald Koeman lacked the presence of one of his most entrusted players. Though not in action for the Netherlands' De Jong is in the national team camp with his teammates as the Dutch nation is still in the Euros race, set to face an unbeaten England on 11th July.
De Jong set to return for Preseason
However, recent reports from Diario AS have confirmed that the midfielder feels 100% ready and recovered to start the preseason. A last test to assess the state of his ankle is left, after which the player might get the green signal to make a comeback on the football pitch.
Given Barca's recent fortune, wherein they faced the consecutive injuries of first Pedri and then Araujo, the comeback news of De Jong provides some relief in the Barca camp. The Dutch midfielder would be the leader of the Catalan midfield as Pedri might miss a few matchdays due to his knee sprain.