Times are tough for FC Barcelona. The draw conceded at the Nou Camp against Inter in the Champions League (3-3) this week risks eliminating them from the competition. It’s a safe bet that at the end of winter, it’s the Europa League that will have to be played, like last season. Still a substitute against the Nerazzurri, Frenkie de Jong is also going through complicated times. Despite his status, the Dutchman is only a 12th man at Barca at the moment.
In Xavi’s mind, the midfielder is behind the midfield trio of Busquets, Pedri and Gavi. He replaced the first city shortly after the hour mark, but his personal situation is starting to exasperate him according to information from Sport. He is disgusted not to have started any important meeting since the start of the season (Sevilla, Bayern and Inter), and has only started three times in La Liga. Unbearable for those who are unstoppable with the Dutch selection.
Behind the Busquets-Gavi-Pedri trio
Obviously, he will start on the bench again against Real Madrid in the Clasico on Sunday. A new blow for the one who saw himself being established against Inter on Wednesday evening after convincing training sessions. Xavi has decided otherwise and is not expected to change his plans in the near future. Only a drop in the regime of the worn-out Busquets, as we saw against the Milanese, could make the Catalan coach think.
This situation is also going to have consequences for De Jong’s future. The latter was invited from FC Barcelona this summer, when Manchester United had made an offer, accepted by the Culés, of 80 M€. He refused, considering that his future was still being written on the side of Catalonia, despite the messages from his management encouraging him to leave. Ultimately, De Jong (23) has enough to review his position if his situation does not improve. Moreover, MU has not lost sight of it either …
