Hansi Flick still doesn't see him ready to last 90 minutes on the field. He proved this again in the derby against Espanyol, with Frenkie de Jong being left on the bench, not being part of the starting eleven. Despite his good second half in El Clásico, the Dutchman is still not in the physical condition to last a full match.
De Jong has had to wait for his chance to start on the Barça bench... while Marc Casadó has once again taken over as the pivot. Pedri has been at his side from the start, becoming the midfield duo that Hansi Flick has always chosen in rivalry matches.
What nobody expected was that Koundé would be left out of the starting lineup in the defensive lineup after a week off. Flick has opted to give him a rest for the match against Espanyol, using youth player Héctor Fort on the right wing. He has been the main new addition to a starting eleven that hasn't rotated much.
Another change from the match against Real Madrid has been found in the attacking midfield, with Dani Olmo returning to the starting lineup at the expense of his teammate Fermín López.
Frenkie de Jong doesn't plan to leave Barça
Despite the fact that it has been attempted on numerous occasions... the reality is that Barça know perfectly well that Frenkie de Jong has no intention of leaving. He is the player with the highest salary in the squad, but the main option for a possible sale has fallen through in recent days.
Frenkie de Jong was interested in the offer to go to Manchester United, but the offer has finally fallen through. The dismissal of Ten Hag, his main supporter, has caused Old Trafford to give up on their intention to sign the Dutchman.
Frenkie de Jong's contract with Barça expires in 2026. Although he is willing to stay, he hasn't yet responded to any of the renewal offers he has received. The club is clear: if De Jong stays, it will be with a lower salary and accepting a lesser role in the squad.
Hansi Flick is certainly not happy with what he is seeing from Frenkie de Jong. He is a very talented player, no one denies that, but his constant physical problems are preventing him from making it into the starting eleven. That is what happened against Espanyol, again.