Barcelona boosted by Frenkie de Jong’s return to coaching
Barcelona have been boosted by the reappearance of Frenkie de Jong in coaching with the remainder of the squad on Monday, having missed the beginning of the season by way of harm.
De Jong has been troubled by an ankle downside for the previous 12 months, lacking video games final September, October and November following an preliminary sprain. The Dutchman suffered a setback in March and performed simply as soon as extra – 45 minutes in opposition to Actual Madrid – within the the rest of the marketing campaign.
He additionally missed Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, withdrawing from his nation’s squad a couple of days earlier than the match started and subsequently sitting out the opening month of the brand new membership marketing campaign.
However Barcelona followers got the excellent news they’d been ready for initially of this week, when De Jong was seen concerned out on the coaching pitch with the broader group.
The previous Ajax star did not participate in the entire session, suggesting he will not be able to return to video games fairly but, though his presence for not less than a part of it’s a optimistic signal.
Frenkie de Jong trains for a part of the session with the group! 💪 pic.twitter.com/10lyrr4uHh
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 16, 2024
De Jong’s absence has been a big a part of Barcelona’s midfield strife thus far in 2024/25. Ilkay Gundogan wound up leaving on a free switch to ease monetary issues, whereas Gavi has been out following final season’s ACL harm.
Teenage prodigy Marc Bernal, the newest of the manufacturing line at La Masia, was set for a giant function till his selecting up a long-term knee harm, with possibilities since going to home-grown Marc Casado alongside the fit-again Pedri as a substitute.
On the bench for the weekend’s 4-1 thrashing of regional neighbours Girona was 16-year-old Guille Fernandez to spice up numbers.
That being mentioned, Barca have made an unexpectedly flying begin to La Liga.
Below Hansi Flick, the Catalans have gained 5 video games on the bounce to take most factors thus far, opening up a four-point lead over Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid already.
