‘A serious injury’ – Former Barcelona boss sparks fears over sidelined Blaugrana star

Former Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has this weekend sparked concern over the wellbeing of a sidelined member of the Blaugrana’s squad.

The player in question? Frenkie de Jong.

Midfielder De Jong is of course condemned to the treatment table once more at present.

Owing to an injury suffered whilst lining out for Barcelona back in April, the former Ajax man was forced to sit out the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign.

The hope was that as much would see De Jong fully fit and firing in time for the beginning of pre-season training back in Catalunya’s capital.

Upon new boss Hansi Flick’s troops being put through their paces for the first time last week, however, the 26-year-old was nowhere to be seen.

Not only that, but ensuing photos of De Jong’s ankle, looking severely swollen, gave rise to fresh claims surrounding a potential absence of several more months.

In turn, those of a Barcelona persuasion will no doubt be majorly worried by the latest word to have surfaced regarding their midfield standout, this weekend.

Speaking during a public appearance in Catalunya, Ronald Koeman, De Jong’s national team boss, was asked if he had any insight into the current wellbeing of his compatriot.

And the ex-Blaugrana manager did not exactly quell fears with his response, confirming, as per Diario Sport, that De Jong is ‘worried’ about what is considered a ‘serious injury’:

“Of course I speak to him, we know each other well, he is worried about his injury . Before the Euros we hoped he would be fine, we knew he wouldn’t be fit to play in the first game but we had hopes, but that wasn’t the case. He has a serious injury and we have to wait and see how everything goes . I wish him luck and hope he recovers quickly, but he’s not fit to play yet.”

Conor Laird | GSFN