After picking up a hamstring injury in a UEFA Nations League match against Poland and being out for almost two weeks, Frenkie De Jong is finally back. The Dutchman, who was left out of Tuesday’s squad list due to fear of a relapse is training with his teammates normally and could feature in Sunday’s clash against Celta Vigo.
Frenkie’s return comes as a relief to Xavi who lost Frank Kessie to an injury. Kessie, who played the last few minutes of Barca’s midweek clash with Inter Milan, has a strained adductor muscle on his right thigh and he’s ruled out for an unknown time depending on his recovery.
Xavi may be devastated due to losing Kessie at this time of the season but can now rely on former Ajax man, Frenkie De Jong to bolster his midfield alongside club captain and veteran Sergio Busquets and teenage sensations, Pedri Gonzalez and Pablo Gavira ahead of a make or break busy October schedule which sees Barca on the verge of playing seven games in three weeks.
Frenkie’s absence was totally missed and on a night on which Pablo Gavi was nowhere to be seen against a low block defensive unit of Inter Milan, he would have been Xavi’s backup plan to help handle Simeone Inzaghi’s men. Xavi might have fancied Frenkie to help tear apart the Inter’s low block.
Frenkie De Jong is now available and ready for selection but he still needs some time to get back to full fitness and might get some minutes against Celta. He’s come back at the right moment to relieve Xavi from his piling pressure.
