FC Barcelona continues to adjust its midfield under the orders of Hansi Flick, and all signs point to Frenkie de Jong becoming a key piece in the German coach's strategy. The latest major test of this change occurred in the match against Sevilla (1-4), where the Dutchman was a starter, once again leaving the previously 'untouchable' Marc Casadó on the bench.
Frenkie de Jong consolidates in Barcelona's midfield
The Barcelona arrived at the match against Sevilla with the motivation to cut points in the fight for LaLiga EA SPORTS, especially after the draw between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. With the need to secure three points, Hansi Flick opted for his most competitive lineup, giving the starting position to Frenkie de Jong and relegating Marc Casadó. In recent matches, the Dutch player has been gaining prominence and has consolidated in the German coach's scheme.
The resurgence of Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona
The evolution of the Dutch midfielder has been evident in his recent performances. He was key in the victory against Alavés, played the full 90 minutes against Atalanta in the Champions League, and actively participated in the rout against Valencia. His ability to adapt to both offensive and defensive tasks has been a determining factor in earning Flick's trust.
One of the aspects that the coach has demanded from De Jong is greater verticality and speed in decision-making. "He needs to stop holding onto the ball for so long and be more direct in his play," has been the coach's directive. And the former Ajax player has responded with solid performances, standing out in the distribution of play alongside Pedri González.
Marc Casadó, with fewer and fewer minutes
The rise of Frenkie de Jong not only represents a benefit for Barcelona, but also an obstacle for Marc Casadó, who has seen his participation alarmingly reduced in recent matches. While the young academy player has shown exceptional talent, Flick's preference for De Jong has relegated him to a secondary role despite his spectacular performance throughout the season.
However, this change in the scheme may not be any 'surpass' and simply be related to the number of matches Barcelona has at this stage of the season. Still competing in the Copa del Rey, Champions League, and LaLiga EA SPORTS, Flick seeks to ensure that all players are at their best for the final stretch of the campaign.
Frenkie de Jong, another pillar of Barcelona
With his recent performance, Frenkie de Jong has managed to establish himself as a starter in the blaugrana midfield. His combination of technical quality, game vision, and defensive sacrifice has made him a fundamental piece in the project of Hansi Flick. At the same time, it is expected that Marc Casadó regains prominence and becomes a starter in the upcoming matches. However, with De Jong at this level, there will surely be a sharing of minutes between both players.
The internal competition at Barcelona remains fierce, and Flick's decisions will be crucial in defining the future of these players. The German coach's ability to recover the best version of all players has provided the blaugrana team with the necessary depth to compete for all titles and have a wide and quality squad, beyond the starting eleven.
Next, we review the 2024-2025 season statistics of Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casadó:
Frenkie de Jong
- Matches played: 22
- Starts: 3 in LaLiga, 3 in the Copa del Rey, 0 in the Supercopa de España, and 2 in the Champions League.
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
- Minutes played: 466 in LaLiga
Marc Casadó
- Matches played: 30
- Starts: 17 in LaLiga, 0 in the Copa del Rey, 2 in the Supercopa de España, and 7 in the Champions League.
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 6
- Minutes played: 1,367
These statistics reflect the participation and contribution of both players in the current season, highlighting the greater playing time and assists of Marc Casadó compared to Frenkie de Jong.