Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona is as soon as once more below the highlight, with Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen claiming that the midfielder could possibly be coming into his remaining season on the membership.
The arrival of Rodri has added recent competitors to Barcelona’s midfield, whereas De Jong’s current injury situation has additional sophisticated his place.
In line with Driessen, the mixture of these elements might imply the 2026/27 marketing campaign turns into the Dutchman’s final on the Catalan membership.
Talking on De Telegraaf’s podcast (h/t SPORT), Driessen recommended that De Jong’s long-term place at Barcelona might not be as safe because the participant as soon as hoped.
“He has been injured loads; they already tried to do away with him earlier than, and now they bring about Rodri.
“I don’t suppose that now that he’s injured they’re making an attempt to switch him – I can’t think about it – however I do suppose he’s in his final season at Barça,” he mentioned.
Rodri signing to alter De Jong’s position
De Jong has beforehand spoken about his need to stay at Barcelona for the remainder of his profession. Nevertheless, Driessen believes that ambition could also be troublesome to grasp.
Barcelona have added one of the crucial skilled midfielders in world soccer, and the Spanish worldwide is about to occupy a central position in Hansi Flick’s plans.
Driessen doesn’t imagine Rodri’s arrival mechanically means Barcelona will try to promote De Jong whereas he’s recovering from harm.
Nevertheless, he feels the competitors for locations might ultimately change the Dutchman’s significance throughout the squad.
“He wished to remain at Barcelona till the top of his profession, however that’s a privilege granted to only a few gamers,” he says.
“He’s not the form of participant you’d suppose would stay a first-team common at Barcelona till he’s 35. In brief, he received’t see out the top of his profession there.”
The Dutch journalist additionally questioned whether or not De Jong and Rodri might function collectively repeatedly within the beginning XI.
“You all the time must carry out to maintain enjoying. If a superb participant is available in who performs in your place, I can’t think about these two enjoying collectively.”
De Jong wants a tactical change
In line with Driessen, De Jong’s skill to adapt might grow to be essential.
The Dutchman has primarily constructed his profession round controlling possession, carrying the ball ahead from deeper areas and linking totally different phases of play.
To play alongside Rodri, Driessen believes De Jong might have to tackle a extra superior and attacking position, though he stays unconvinced that the Barcelona midfielder could make that adjustment.
“He may have the ability to attempt, however he must be extra attacking, and that’s normally the purpose of criticism: that he lacks that. He’s by no means managed it.”
Whether or not Hansi Flick shares that view stays to be seen.
Barcelona have a number of midfielders able to performing totally different roles, and loads will rely on the system Flick makes use of as soon as De Jong returns.
There isn’t a assure that the arrival of Rodri mechanically pushes the Dutchman out of the beginning XI. Nonetheless, competitors for locations is more likely to enhance considerably.
