The last few weeks have seen several changes in Hansi Flick’s selection preferences. One of the most notable of these changes was to make Wojciech Szczęsny his preferred starting goalkeeper ahead of Iñaki Peña, despite the fact that the 25-year-old La Masia graduate was the one to replace Marc-André ter Stegen when he got injured back in October, and remained a starter till December.
Another change, that has not generated as much debate, has been in the midfield, where Frenkie de Jong has been making his way back to the starting lineup, at the cost of Marc Casadó.
As Mundo Deportivo has noted, the Dutch midfielder has now started the last three games for Hansi Flick, against Valencia, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, even though the German tactician denied in a press conference that Frenkie was a fixed starter going forward.
Since the start of 2025, the €45m-rated Dutchman has started 7 games, while the Spaniard has started 6 games. The two midfielders alternated with one another till the game against Valencia in La Liga, in which both of them started.
In the last five games, Frenkie got the nod in the previously mentioned three games against Valencia, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as in the UEFA Champions League game against Atalanta. Meanwhile, Casadó only started one game, against Deportivo Alavés in La Liga.
Even in that game, the Dutchman replaced the 21-year-old La Masia graduate at half-time, and helped Barcelona grab a victory after the first half ended without any goals. This was also the case in the game against Getafe, a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Thus, Frenkie de Jong has come a long way from the time when he was booed by the Blaugrana fans during the 3-0 Barcelona win against French side Brest. Meanwhile, Casadó has also played at a very high level, and even rejected offers from the likes of Chelsea to stay at the Catalan club.
Now, it remains to be seen which of these two players will be Flick’s preferred starter going forward.
