Barcelona's De Jong may miss over four months with serious right knee injury

Hupu, July 22 — According to a report by AS journalist Javi Miguel, although Barcelona has not yet officially announced the specific details of Frenkie de Jong's right knee injury, sources inside and outside the club are increasingly pessimistic. Signs indicate that the injury may be very serious, with a potential absence that could exceed the previously most pessimistic estimate of four months, forcing head coach Hansi Flick to significantly adjust his plans for the new season.

De Jong has still not reported to Barcelona's sports city. He was originally scheduled to return to the team on July 20. The club's delay in issuing an official announcement clearly suggests that the injury is not minor.

Diagnostic Process

To finalize the diagnosis, De Jong underwent two examinations:

• First examination (July 13): Due to persistent swelling in his knee, an MRI could not be performed properly. De Jong returned home without a confirmed diagnosis.
• Second examination (four days later): After the swelling subsided somewhat, doctors completed the examination. The results were not optimistic.

Five days have passed since the second examination, and the club has still not released an announcement. This delay may also be related to the search for a specialist surgeon. At this point, it is widely understood that surgery appears to be the only solution to De Jong's knee problem.

Impact on Team Plans

According to AS, another sign reflecting the severity of De Jong's injury is that in all recent meetings between Flick and his coaching staff, De Jong's name has not appeared in the team's plans for the coming months.

De Jong will not travel with the team to England for training, nor will he participate in:

• The triangular tournament in Udine
• The Joan Gamper Trophy
• The La Liga opener in Elche

His name has been removed from the first team's training and match plans, which indicates he will be sidelined for an extended period due to injury.

Potential Replacements

Flick and his coaching staff have recently emphasized the role of Marc Bernal, whom the German coach greatly appreciates and trusts. Additionally, Xavi Espart may also receive an opportunity. Although he primarily plays as a right-back, he can also operate as a defensive midfielder, as demonstrated in the recent U19 European Championship.

Club Response and Compensation

Considering all signs, De Jong will clearly be away from the pitch for a long time. If this is ultimately confirmed, Barcelona may later hold the Netherlands national team, coached by Ronald Koeman, accountable and seek compensation. The club is extremely angry about this, believing that those responsible were negligent. De Jong was already injured at the time but was allowed to play against Morocco with the approval of the head coach and medical staff.

The only consolation for Barcelona is that if De Jong's absence exceeds four months, the club may receive compensation of nearly €2 million under FIFA regulations. Based on the current situation, he is likely to reach this injury duration.

Source: AS