Hansi Flick treats Frenkie de Jong with extreme caution as injured midfielder trains away from Barcelona team-mates

Barcelona’s star midfielder De Jong has returned to the training pitch. The 28-year-old, who suffered a gluteal injury while on international duty with Netherlands, trained outside the group under the close supervision of the club’s fitness coaches. According to Sport, he arrived later than his team-mates for a light, partial session, a move that confirms his injury is not a long-term one. However, it also shows the club’s newfound philosophy of extreme caution, prioritising a full recovery over a rushed return.

The absence of players like Gavi and Alejandro Balde have created a midfield selection crisis, forcing Flick to rely on others like Marc Casado and Pedri. This situation has been a major blow to Flick's plans, which rely on a physically robust squad to execute his trademark high-pressing and quick-transitioning tactics. The club's medical team are also working to get youth player Marc Bernal back on the pitch, but his return is also being treated with immense caution, given that it has been 365 days since he underwent surgery.

De Jong’s return to training is a welcome sign, but he has been ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Valencia. The club’s main goal are to ensure he is in peak condition for the upcoming Champions League match against Newcastle. Meanwhile, the situation with Gavi is far more complex. The discomfort in his right knee - the same one that underwent ACL surgery - has persisted, and while the club are still pursuing a conservative approach with physical therapy, the possibility of a minor arthroscopic procedure is now being considered more seriously to alleviate the pain.

With a midfield depth crisis, Flick will have to rely on a mix of senior players and promising youth talents to navigate the upcoming matches. The highly anticipated return of De Jong, along with the lingering fitness issues of Gavi and Balde, means that the club’s medical team will continue to play a crucial role in deciding which players can and cannot take the field.