Major boost for Barcelona: Midfield superstar will return to group training next week

Barcelona’s midfield might soon receive a significant boost as Frenkie de Jong approaches his return to action.

Indeed, Mundo Deportivo reports that the 27-year-old Dutch midfielder has been making excellent progress in his individual training sessions.

As such, De Jong’s positive feedback to the coaching staff has led Hansi Flick to anticipate the player’s reintegration into group training next week.

This development comes after a nearly five-month absence from action. De Jong’s last appearance was in El Clásico on April 21, where an incident involving Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde exacerbated his right ankle issue.

This injury, his third to the same joint that season, sidelined him for the remainder of La Liga and the European Championship.

Opting for conservative treatment over surgery, De Jong has been cautiously working towards his return since the pre-season began.

Recent solitary training sessions have shown promising results, with the player demonstrating good mobility and tolerating increased intensity.

The midfielder’s rehabilitation program has included a variety of exercises, from sprints and turns to ball control and passing drills, all of which he’s reportedly handling well.

His next step will be a gradual return to team training, following a similar path to recent returnees Ansu Fati and Gavi.

While no exact date has been set for his return to on-field action Flick is eager to welcome De Jong back. The Dutch midfielder’s playing style is seen as a perfect fit for Flick’s tactics, especially given the current absences in Barcelona’s midfield.

The Netherlands international’s imminent return could provide Barcelona with much-needed depth and quality in their midfield as they enter a crucial phase of the season.