Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong may return to group training next week after a prolonged injury break. The Dutchman has been out of action since April. His ankle got twisted in a LaLiga fixture against Real Madrid last season. Despite the struggle, the midfielder was adamant about not going under the knife as he was not sure if surgery would resolve the issue.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo’s Fernando Polo, De Jong has been recovering quickly and looks determined to join the first-team training soon.
An update was shared on X (formerly Twitter) where he mentioned that De Jong could join the group training “initially on a partial basis, after five months of his ankle injury.” Polo added in his post, “Over the last few days, he has been working on his own at a good pace and without any discomfort.”
If it turns out to be true, it will no doubt delight the newly appointed Barcelona boss, Hansi Flick.
Currently, Frenkie de Jong has been undergoing individual training under the watchful eyes of the physios. It was in September last year when De Jong first hurt his right ankle. Back then, the Netherlands international was forced to miss several games both for Barcelona and his country.
The 27-year-old once again suffered a blow in the same ankle while playing in a LaLiga game against Athletic Club in March. The injury had kept him on the sidelines for 35 days.
Frenkie de Jong is now, reportedly, the highest-paid player at Barcelona as the midfielder is understood to be earning €37,500,000 per year. He had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer. Barcelona sporting director Deco, however, later rubbished the rumours, saying that the club had no intention of releasing De Jong.
“I don’t understand all the talk about Frenkie. He has a contract with Barca and we are very happy with him. He is a player we are anxious to see come back because we need Frenkie. We want him to stay, but the player will decide at the right time. It is not a matter for now,” Deco said, as quoted by Sportskeeda, via 90min.
Since joining Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, Frenkie de Jong has represented the Catalan giants in 213 matches across all competitions. He has netted 17 goals while providing 21 assists.
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