Frenkie de Jong sees light at tunnel’s end, Barça await return after break | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong is beginning to move closer to his return with Barcelona. The Dutch midfielder has been out of action for two months with a right knee injury, but his recovery is progressing well and the upcoming international break could mark the start of a new phase.

The player’s intention is to return to training with the group after this international window, as long as his progress remains positive and no new discomfort appears.

Returning to the group, the next objective

Xavi Hernández, the current Netherlands head coach, explained that he has been in contact with De Jong and revealed that the player is pleased with how his recovery is progressing.

“I was talking to him, we have a very good relationship. He’s happy with how the recovery is going and feels very good about it.”

The Dutch coach believes the decisive moment will come after the current international break.

“I think the key point will be after this break, precisely to see whether he rejoins the group and can feel good enough to return to playing at one hundred percent.”

In this way, the initial goal would not be for De Jong to return straight to competition, but rather for him to gradually rejoin collective training.

Two months out with a knee injury

De Jong suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the last World Cup.

After assessing the different options, Barcelona and the player ruled out surgery and opted for conservative treatment, while closely monitoring the progress of the joint.

The process has kept the Dutchman out of competition for approximately two months.

His recovery has been gradual, and the next step will be to see how the knee responds when the physical demands increase again and he resumes training with his teammates.

Barcelona hope to recover a key player

De Jong’s absence has forced Barcelona to manage the midfield without one of their most important players.

That is why his return would be a major boost for Hansi Flick in a season in which the team faces a particularly demanding schedule.

The plan, however, is to avoid any rush. If things feel good after the break, De Jong could begin working with the group again and move closer to his return to competition.

The exact date for his return to action has yet to be determined, but after two months out, the Dutchman is already starting to see the end of his recovery.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.