Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick reportedly wants the club to bring in new midfield personnel ahead of the start of the 2026-27season amid injuries to key players and impending departures.
While the Blaugrana remain in a difficult economic situation with their finances, Flick is aware that the midfield needs a rejig, with Frenkie de Jong unavailable due to a long-term injury, while Marc Cassado could be heading towards an exit.
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De Jong, 29, tore his medial cruciate ligament during the Netherlands’ campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canda, where the Oranje lost to Morocco on penalties in the Round of 32.
The midfielder played through injury at the quadrennial event, featuring with a heavily taped knee, with the injury getting confimed after he was back at the club last week.
“Medical tests have confirmed that De Jong has suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee,” the Blaugrana said on Thursday (as per ESPN).
“The player will continue to undergo treatment under the supervision of the club’s medical staff, with his progress to be assessed over the coming weeks.”
Amid that, as per Barca Universal, Flick has urged the Blaugrana to reinforce the middle of the park, leaving Pedri and Marc Bernal overworked if reinforcements don’t arrive. Eric Garcia remains a makeshift option, while Gavi is more proficient in an attacking role.
Possible midfield arrivals could include Leon Goretzka and Yves Bissouma, free agents, and Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri, who’s seemingly heading towards Real Madrid
“There’s no need for surgery” – Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong after extent of injury comes to light
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has ruled out surgery for his torn medial cruciate ligament injury sustained during the Netherlands‘ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in North America.
The 29-year-old explained that the true extent of the injury was only determined after he was back at the Blaugrana as he shot back at critics questioning his commitment to the club:
“It’s difficult for me to see people questioning my relationship and commitment to the club because of false reports,” he said (as per ESPN). “Football is everything to me. I have always given everything I have for Barcelona and my country. That is why I want to share what happened.
“During the World Cup, I injured my knee. After the first assessments, the doctors told me it was a small injury and that it wouldn’t get worse if I continued playing. The only challenge was playing with some pain, but throughout my career I have done that whenever I could contribute to the team, both for my club and my country.”
The Barcelona man concluded:
“Further examinations [in Barcelona later] showed that the injury was more serious than initially determined. Thankfully, at this stage there is no need for surgery, and I am now fully focused on my recovery and returning to the pitch as soon as possible.”
De Jong played 110 minutes in the Round of 32 shootout defeat to Morocco at the World Cup, ending his campaign without a goal contribution in four games.
Edited by Bhargav