Frenkie de Jong returns to Barcelona group training

Frenkie de Jong today has returned to group training in what is a massive boost for Barcelona. Although he didn’t take part in the entire session, just the fact that he’s back will be a huge relief for the Blaugrana as the fixtures start piling up, with the start of the Champions League.

De Jong has been bothered by an ankle problem for some time now, with him missing games last September, October and November following an initial sprain. However, it resurfaced in March and he played just once since, in a Clasico, where a tackle from Fede Valverde saw him being stretchered out.

The Dutchman was initially a part of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 but later pulled out because he couldn’t recover in time. Subsequently, he has also missed the first few games of the new season with Barcelona as well as the entirety of pre-season.

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His return is a welcome for Hansi Flick as Barcelona are struggling with injuries in midfield. Marc Bernal, the 17 year old who impressed in the first few games, is out for a year with an ACL injury. Gavi is slowly recovering from the same injury and isn’t quite there yet. Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo are also out for a month. This leaves a fragile Pedri, an inexperienced Marc Casado and an out of position Eric Garcia as midfield cover. Barca have started the season on fire, winning 5 games out of 5 and scoring as many as 17 goals in the process.