Frenkie de Jong trains separately: Out for Barça-Valencia?
Published New:11/09/2025 - 17:48h
Updated New:11/09/2025 - 17:48h
Frenkie de Jong trained separately from the squad on Thursday and, although he worked on the field, he is likely to be out of Hansi Flick's lineup for Barça-Valencia
FC Barcelona returned to work this Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva with the entire squad available after the break. Of the 13 first-team players who traveled with their national teams, only Frenkie de Jong remains on the sidelines, due to the 'minor' injury he suffered against Poland last Thursday the 4th.
The Dutchman is suffering from an ailment in the external obturator muscle of his right leg that, for now, prevents him from training normally. However, the '21' stepped onto the field of the Tito Vilanova field on a day that had as its main novelty the returns of Raphinha and Ronald Araujo, the last internationals to return from the break.
Although the club did not estimate the time of absence of the Arkel native, it is very likely that Hansi Flick will leave him out of the Barça-Valencia match. At least, with respect to the lineup for Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Ronald Koeman did not hesitate to send him back to Catalonia after his setback against Poland and the Barça coaching staff will do the same, taking care of him from a more serious injury.
Marc Casadó and Eric García can replace Frenkie de Jong against Valencia
In that sense, if Frenkie does not train normally on Friday either, the safest thing is that he will be left out of the list of called-up players for matchday 5 of LaLiga 25/26. The midfielder was also out against Levante on matchday 2, due to a special permit (paternity).
That day, Marc Casadó took his place in the center of the field alongside Pedri González. With Gavi also absent due to his ailments in his right knee, the Sant Pere de Vilamajor native is once again emerging as a starter in what will be Barça's first home game this season.
Casadó only played 45 minutes against Levante and needs to add quality minutes to return to his best version. The '17' missed the last two months of the 24/25 season due to muscular problems, but he is now physically ready to try to regain the lost prominence.
As alternatives for the defensive pivot position, Hansi Flick also has Eric García, although the Martorell native played the first two matchdays of Liga in the right-back position. The third available player in midfield against Valencia would be Marc Bernal, who is aiming for his first official call-up after a whole year out due to his very serious knee injury.
Newcastle-Barça, absolute priority for Frenkie de Jong
In this way, although Frenkie de Jong's absence always represents a sensitive loss for Barcelona, the coaching staff's bet is to have the Dutchman at his best next week. The team debuts in the Champions League next Thursday the 18th against Newcastle in England and the idea is to have the '21' ready for that match.
Against Valencia, Flick trusts in solving the 'puzzle' in midfield with the available alternatives. The German could revolutionize his lineup with at least five changes with respect to the XI against Rayo (1-1), while, for the visit to Newcastle, the gala team would be available again.
For the moment, Frenkie has 180 minutes of action in 2 Liga matches with Barça. The previous year, although he missed the first two months of competition, he played 2,488' spread over 46 matches. Since January, the Arkel native has shown his best version since he landed in 2019 in Catalonia, coming from Ajax.
