Dutch journalist claims Barcelona heavyweight could be entering his final season at club: ‘Can’t imagine…’ | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona is once again under the spotlight, with Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen claiming that the midfielder could be entering his final season at the club.

The arrival of Rodri has added fresh competition to Barcelona’s midfield, while De Jong’s current injury situation has further complicated his position. 

According to Driessen, the combination of those factors could mean the 2026/27 campaign becomes the Dutchman’s last at the Catalan club.

Speaking on De Telegraaf’s podcast (h/t SPORT), Driessen suggested that De Jong’s long-term place at Barcelona may no longer be as secure as the player once hoped.

“He has been injured a lot; they already tried to get rid of him before, and now they bring Rodri. 

“I don’t think that now that he’s injured they’re trying to transfer him – I can’t imagine it – but I do think he’s in his last season at Barça,” he said.

Rodri signing to change De Jong’s role

De Jong has previously spoken about his desire to remain at Barcelona for the rest of his career. However, Driessen believes that ambition may be difficult to realise.

Frenkie de Jong is currently nursing a serious injury. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Barcelona have added one of the most experienced midfielders in world football, and the Spanish international is set to occupy a central role in Hansi Flick’s plans.

Driessen does not believe Rodri’s arrival automatically means Barcelona will attempt to sell De Jong while he is recovering from injury. 

However, he feels the competition for places could eventually change the Dutchman’s importance within the squad.

“He wanted to stay at Barcelona until the end of his career, but that’s a privilege granted to very few players,” he says. 

“He’s not the sort of player you’d think would remain a first-team regular at Barcelona until he’s 35. In short, he won’t see out the end of his career there.”

The Dutch journalist also questioned whether De Jong and Rodri could operate together regularly in the starting XI.

“You always have to perform to keep playing. If an excellent player comes in who plays in your position, I can’t imagine those two playing together.”

De Jong needs a tactical change

Rodri’s arrival has raised questions over De Jong’s future. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

According to Driessen, De Jong’s ability to adapt could become crucial.

The Dutchman has primarily built his career around controlling possession, carrying the ball forward from deeper areas and linking different phases of play. 

To play alongside Rodri, Driessen believes De Jong may need to take on a more advanced and attacking role, although he remains unconvinced that the Barcelona midfielder can make that adjustment.

“He might be able to try, but he needs to be more attacking, and that’s usually the point of criticism: that he lacks that. He’s never managed it.”

Whether Hansi Flick shares that view remains to be seen.

Barcelona have several midfielders capable of performing different roles, and a lot will depend on the system Flick uses once De Jong returns. 

There is no guarantee that the arrival of Rodri automatically pushes the Dutchman out of the starting XI. Still, competition for places is likely to increase significantly.