Injuries have plagued a lot of clubs this season, but FC Barcelona have been dealt a particularly bad hand. As a consequence of not just the injuries but also several other factors, the Catalan giants ended this campaign with no trophies to their name. However, it is still important to acknowledge just how impactful those injuries were for Barcelona.
That is because the injuries were not just to random squad players, but they instead managed to take out key players for Barcelona at different points of the season. From Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to Gavi, Pedri, and other star players, Barcelona had to deal with these injuries from start to finish.
Another key casualty this season was 27-year-old Frenkie De Jong. Normally a very integral and consistent performer for Barcelona, the Dutchman just did not see fortune favor him at all this season, suffering multiple injuries to similar areas of his body as well.
However, despite being injured against Real Madrid in his last El Clasico meeting, Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong remains optimistic about being able to participate in the upcoming European championship with the Netherlands, as he has revealed to Dutch source Telegraaf:
“For a European Championship with the Netherlands, I am willing to take certain risks, but the most important thing for me is that it does not become a chronic ankle injury. That is not the case yet, which is why I have not had surgery on the ankle.”
“Yes, it is my third ankle injury this season, also to the same ankle, but there is no instability. Only the second time, I may have started too early and the injury was still in my head.”
Despite suffering that severe ankle injury, the Barcelona star and captain looks to make sure of his availability for his national team. However, beyond the European championship, there are a lot of rumors and news circulating about De Jong potentially being on his way out from the club, but they will have to wait it seems.
It seems unlikely that the Dutchman’s future will be decided before the international competition concludes this summer. Afterwards, however, it will be seen if Hansi Flick remains adamant about the Barcelona star staying at the club or if the financial necessity ultimately ends up pushing the player out of the club.
