Frenkie de Jong’s return leaves Barcelona with a midfield call to make

Rodri’s injury has created a fresh midfield headache for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, with the German now having to decide how to cover the absence of one of the key components of his system over the coming month.

Rodri has played 945 minutes this season, more than any other Barcelona midfielder under Flick, ahead of Fermin and Pedri. Marc Bernal appears the natural option to operate as the holding midfielder, although Frenkie de Jong is also pushing to take on the role.

De Jong returned to action less than two weeks ago against Real Madrid after spending three months out with a knee injury. Tensions from the summer appear to have eased after the Netherlands international opted for conservative treatment.

Flick subsequently removed the club’s first-team captaincy from De Jong and gave it to Raphinha, with Pedri appointed vice-captain. However, De Jong remains highly regarded by the manager and is determined to regain his place in the starting XI.

The Dutchman has yet to be used as the deepest midfielder since his return. According to Catalan newspaper Sport, he played 82 minutes at centre-back against Alaves and 36 minutes as an advanced midfielder in matches against Real Madrid and Aston Villa.

The newspaper said De Jong had “put his manager in a difficult position”.

After Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, in which he made his 300th appearance for the club, De Jong said he was ready to start against Atletico Madrid.

“I’m not bothered by anything. I feel good and motivated to start the match against Atletico,” he said.

Flick urges caution

De Jong’s confidence is not entirely matched by Flick’s caution. The Barcelona manager praised the midfielder’s quality but stressed that he still needs more time to return to full fitness.

“Frenkie is not 100% ready, but he is at a good level. That is normal after an injury. Step by step, he is an excellent player,” Flick said.

Flick therefore faces two main options before Barcelona’s important La Liga meeting with Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on Sunday.

He could turn to Bernal as the straightforward replacement for Rodri in the holding role, or accelerate De Jong’s return to full fitness and restore him to the starting line-up.

The decision comes as Barcelona prepare for the match on 08 November 2026, with De Jong’s progress and Rodri’s absence set to shape the manager’s midfield selection.