FC Barcelona's plan with Frenkie de Jong if he cannot play again after the national team break

The FC Barcelona is still waiting to see when they can once again count on Frenkie de Jong, a 27-year-old Dutch midfielder who has been injured since April 21st. This mishap occurred during a ball dispute with Federico Valverde in the Clásico against Real Madrid (3-2), resulting in an injury that, after the corresponding medical analyses, was diagnosed as a severe grade II sprain in his right ankle.

This physical setback has implied a much longer recovery time than expected by the blaugrana team, which hoped to have the '21' available since the 24/25 preseason. However, even though the season has already started and about four matches have been played, the return of the Dutchman is not imminent yet. It is estimated that, since he is apparently in the final stages of his recovery, his return to the field could be quite close.

Under this premise, the Barcelona team seems to have the foresight that Arkel may start being called up after the September FIFA break (September 2nd to 10th). However, everything will depend on the player's feelings, who has expressed his desire to return only when the discomfort disappears completely, to avoid risks of a chronicity of this condition. It should be noted that during the 2023/24 season, in addition to the ankle injury he is recovering from, he suffered two other physical setbacks in that body area: a distal tibioperoneal syndesmosis and a sprained lateral collateral ligament.

Barcelona's Plan with De Jong if he can't return to play after the international break

Now, according to information from 'SPORT', the club has the firm intention of having the Dutchman back as soon as possible. If De Jong does not return after the September FIFA break, even if it involves a return with a tolerable slight discomfort, they plan to discuss with him to suggest abandoning the conventional treatment and considering the option of undergoing a surgical intervention, which could provide a definitive solution to his problems in the right ankle.

At this point, the final decision will be conditioned by the possibility that the player can return on the date planned by the club, a return that seems necessary given that the team is experiencing a shortage of midfielders. His return, in addition to addressing a possible lack of assets in the midfield, would represent the recovery of a 'top' midfielder capable of leading that area of the field. This would be a key piece to strengthen the Blaugrana squad, especially considering the start of the Champions League, where a deep squad will be required due to the crowded schedule.