International manager remains hopeful of Barcelona star being available to play on Saturday | OneFootball

After an impressive start to the season, FC Barcelona failed to win their final game against Real Sociedad just before the international break. However, this doesn’t diminish the fact that the club has enjoyed one of their best starts in recent years.

More than the loss at the Reale Arena, it was the mounting injury problems that emerged as a major cause for concern for Barcelona. Lamine Yamal failed to make the bench that night and is set to be out for some time, while both Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski picked up injuries during the match.

However, Frenkie has traveled with the Netherlands squad to link up with Ronald Koeman for international duty, while both Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski have withdrawn from their respective international commitments, and rightly so

Speaking about the situation surrounding Frenkie, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Koeman has expressed hope that the player will be available to play on Saturday when the Netherlands face Hungary in the Nations League. He said:

“We assume he will be able to play on Saturday, but he will need to train properly first. “It was clear that it wasn’t his ankle, so there was no problem. I think he flew to the Netherlands on Monday and will be at training on Tuesday. [ He ] hasn’t played a full match since his return, so he’s not yet at his best. [ Nevertheless ] it is very important for us that he’s there.”

De Jong’s performances since recovering from the long-term ankle injury that kept him out since April have been inconsistent. His cameo against Real Madrid was game-changing, but his starts against Red Star Belgrade and Real Sociedad left much to be desired.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

It’s understandable that the Dutch midfielder is rusty after such a long injury lay-off. However, Frenkie undoubtedly adds quality to the team, and there’s a chance he could become a key figure in the setup going forward under Hansi Flick.

Frenkie has faced significant criticism for his performances in recent games. However, it’s unfair to expect someone who has been sidelined for so long to return and immediately perform at the highest level. Fans need to be patient with the midfielder.

Frenkie de Jong has faced challenges in winning over Barcelona fans. He has often been a polarizing figure, with some questioning whether he plays for the badge with the same intensity as players like Marc Casado.

However, there’s no denying the quality the Dutchman brings to the team. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the Netherlands in their upcoming matches, which may offer further insights into his current form and mindset.