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According to a report by Mundo Deportivo's Fernando Polo, Barcelona have given Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong 15 days to prove his fitness or undergo surgery. The 27-year-old has been out with an ankle injury since April.
De Jong joined the Catalan giants from Ajax in 2019 for €86 million and has gone on to make 213 appearances for the club, bagging 17 goals and 21 assists. The midfielder has helped the team win one La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup title each.
Frenkie de Jong is a seasoned international, with 54 appearances for his country (two goals and six assists), and will be needed by the Catalan side in the upcoming season. Barcelona need midfield reinforcements following injury to youth prospect Marc Bernal and now only have Pedri in the senior team capable of playing at the base of their midfield.
Barcelona boss believes the team can still improve this season
After their impressive start to the 2024-25 campaign, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick believes his team can get better this season. The German manager has started life in Catalonia well, winning his opening three La Liga games on the bounce.
Speaking to the press on Friday ahead of his side's La Liga clash with Real Valladolid on Saturday (August 31), the German tactician said (via Sportsmax):
"It's going to be a long season, and I'm not focused on the opponents. I'm focused on Barca, we've done well in the first three games and hopefully tomorrow we'll be victorious. The players are fit and rested, they are training really well, and I'm pleased. We believe in our strength and in our idea of the game."
"Of course, there are many things we need to improve, like being focused from the start of the matches and not wait 10 minutes to get going. To be confident from minute one, that's what I expect from the players. It sounds like something basic, but it's part of the hard core of our idea of the game. The quality of this team is sky-high, fantastic," he added.
The Blaugrana boss concluded by saying:
"We have a special atmosphere and a very good mentality. They are very professional players with a great attitude. They are acting as one. The attitude, the mentality, the teamwork... I love it. This is the only way to win, in unison,"
Barcelona will be keen to maintain their fine start to the season and regain their La Liga crown that was lost to their eternal rivals Real Madrid last season.
