De Jong continues to lose momentum

15/12/2025 09:41:00 soccer

During Barca’s winning run, Frenkie de Jong has rarely featured. He is losing his standing and influence within the squad.

Frenkie de Jong is undergoing his quietest and most challenging phase since joining Barcelona. The recent 2-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga round 16 once again demonstrated that the Dutch midfielder’s status is no longer guaranteed. De Jong remained on the bench and was only introduced by Hansi Flick in the 74th minute, replacing Marcus Rashford after Raphinha opened the scoring.

This is no longer a story about a single game. Over the past weeks, De Jong has gradually fallen out of Barca’s operational core. Once a central figure in midfield, controlling tempo, evading pressing, and linking the lines, De Jong now frequently appears as a rotation option rather than a default pick. Flick prioritizes midfielders who offer higher intensity, more aggressive pressing, and are willing to take risks in build-up phases.

In the Osasuna match, when De Jong came on, Barca mainly controlled possession to maintain the scoreline. His role was therefore quite safe, involving short passes, maintaining rhythm, and minimizing turnovers. However, this caution highlights De Jong’s biggest current problem. He no longer creates a clear difference compared to other options Flick has at his disposal.

De Jong’s standing is fading

Previously, the Dutch midfielder missed 3 of the last 4 La Liga matches for various reasons, including fitness, personal matters, and suspension. These interruptions prevented him from keeping a steady playing rhythm, while younger players like Marc Casado, Bernal, and especially the hybrid option Eric Garcia took advantage of the opportunity to impress the German coach. "When things get complicated, pass to Pedri," Eric Garcia said after the Osasuna game. It was a joke but true. He has good understanding with Pedri in Barca’s 4-2-3-1 system.

Statistics also do not support De Jong. He has not scored after 17 matches across all competitions, has only 2 assists, and his influence on the play is no longer as prominent as in previous seasons. In a Barca team searching for speed, intensity, and directness, De Jong seems unable to catch up with this transformation. He resembles a flawed version of Pedri.

No one doubts the quality of the former Ajax midfielder, but elite football waits for no one. Continuing to come off the bench, as in the Osasuna match, is a warning to De Jong. If he does not quickly reaffirm his value with performances of sufficient impact, he will have to accept a diminished role in a Barcelona that is evolving daily.

Comment (0)