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De Jong's Barca Battle: Flick's Midfield Maze
13 Oct
Summary
- Frenkie de Jong faces intense competition for starting spot.
- Rodri is considered an undisputed starter and best midfielder.
- De Jong may compete with Pedri or play in a three-man midfield.
Frenkie de Jong is nearing his return to the pitch for Barcelona, yet securing a starting midfield place presents a significant challenge. His absence saw major shifts, with Rodri emerging as a crucial, undisputed starter considered by some the world's best midfielder. This has intensified competition for De Jong, who may now vie with Pedri for a remaining midfield role.
Boulahrouz suggests a direct contest between De Jong and Pedri, highlighting their distinct playstyles: Pedri as a link to forwards and De Jong as a deep-lying playmaker. However, coach Hansi Flick might opt to deploy all three—Rodri, De Jong, and Pedri—in a complementary three-man midfield. De Jong, contracted until 2029, is in the final stages of recovery from a knee injury sustained during the World Cup, facing the task of convincing Flick of his value amid potential role changes.
