Barcelona will not change their transfer plans even after key midfielder’s long-term injury
· Yahoo Sports
Visit afnews.co.za for more information.
Frenkie de Jong’s injury update earlier this week confirmed that the player would miss a big part of the opening of the new season, as he has ruptured the medial collateral ligament of his knee.
The development comes as a massive blow to Hansi Flick’s plans, for De Jong has proven to be instrumental as a starter alongside Pedri in recent years for the club.
Having the club captain out to yet another injury blow, needless to say, leaves the club in a relatively tricky situation with only Pedri, Gavi and Marc Bernal left as the options to play in the deep midfield.
Further, it makes the operation of Marc Casado’s departure complicated too.
No shift in transfer strategy
As reported by Mundo Deportivo now, Barcelona have no intention of changing their transfer plans after De Jong’s injury and will rely only on internal solutions until he is back.
Flick will not change his transfer plans. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Hansi Flick considers that he has enough players in midfield to fill the void, both in the current first-team squad and in the academy, and will rely on them to run the midfield.
After all, it is not a new situation for Flick to find himself in as he already played out the final stretch of last season without De Jong and with the same midfield options at his disposal.
The club managed to defend their lead in La Liga quite comfortably at that time, and he believes there is no reason they cannot tide them across the crisis once more.
The likely options for Flick
At the crucial final stretch of last season when the Dutchman was out, it was between Marc Bernal and Gavi who joined Pedri at the base of midfield as part of the double pivot.
Bernal could see more prominence in the coming season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Both players are coming off long-term injuries, but they both ended last season on highs and will be better rested and fresh to begin the new season even as starters. Clearly, they will be the two options that appeal to Flick the most.
Further, the manager has the likes of Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen as options to play as defensive midfielders if need be, while Xavi Espart also offers a strong solution to the problem.
In the academy, Brian Farinas and Tommy Marques are two strong candidates who stand out and will be evaluated in pre-season. Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez, in the worst scenario, can also drop down and join the double pivot.