Good news for Barça: Frenkie de Jong will not travel with the Netherlands

Frenkie de Jong will not return to the Netherlands national team on the FIFA date in October. The man from Arkel missed the Eurocup due to injury and, beyond having received a medical discharge from FC Barcelona this week, he was left off the list of those called up by Ronald Koeman for matchdays 3 and 4 of the UEFA Nations League, where the 'orange' will visit Hungary (Friday the 11th) and Germany (Monday the 14th).

Back in #NationsLeague action! 🦁

11/10 ‣ 🇭🇺🇳🇱 20:45h, Budapest
14/10 ‣ 🇩🇪🇳🇱 20:45h, Munich#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/enmiztam6g

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 4, 2024

The Dutch coach and former culé coach has made a logical decision with the midfielder, since after five months injured he is still far from his best version. Koeman, at the time, criticized Barça for how they managed Frenkie's physical problems last season. Now, the coach has given the club a hand, respecting the work plan established by the new Barça technical staff to avoid another relapse of the '21'.

Frenkie will take advantage of the break to optimize his physical form

In that sense, Koeman's decision gives the midfielder the necessary margin to continue working on the physical part. The 27-year-old will be working hard during the week and a half of the break to get fit, something that always takes time after a long-term injury. De Jong was out for 163 days and only played 15 minutes on Tuesday against Young Boys. Hansi Flick hopes to give him a run, again, in the second half against Alavés, in accordance with the plan set by the Barça coaching staff.

If everything goes well, Arkel's man would have a good chance of entering the XI against Sevilla right after the break, in what would be his first game as a starter. In principle, the tulip midfielder should take Marc Casadó's place when he is physically at his best, although he can also accompany the Barca youth player in the midfield so that Pedri has more freedom in the center of the field, as an interior or playmaker.

With the return of Dani Olmo, Flick must rebuild his midfield, and that is where Casadó can be sacrificed, simply as a matter of hierarchy. Barça also hopes to recover Gavi and Fermín López after the FIFA date, two fundamental pieces to give depth to a short squad for such a demanding schedule. The return of Andreas Christensen looks more distant, who together with Eric García can lend a hand as pivots when necessary.