Flick reveals Barcelona's plan for Frenkie de Jong return

Frenkie de Jong is closing in on his return to action. The Dutch midfielder completed his first group training session on Thursday after months of working alone following a ligament injury, but Hansi Flick made clear in his press conference that the moment to see him on the pitch has not arrived yet. The German coach explained the club's plan for his comeback and admitted he sees De Jong as a genuine centre-back option given the defensive shortage.

• De Jong is back training with the group but will miss the matches against Getafe and Galatasaray.
• Flick is targeting the Real Betis fixture as the probable date for his return to the squad.
• The Dutchman is considered a centre-back option while Christensen remains sidelined.
• Cubarsí and Gerard Martín are the only first-team defenders currently available.
• De Jong avoided surgery and followed a conservative recovery plan.

When Frenkie de Jong will return for Barcelona

The midfielder's return to training does not mean he will be called up immediately. Flick was clear: De Jong will not feature against Getafe in LaLiga or against Galatasaray in the club's first European away trip of the season. The coaching staff are taking a cautious approach and do not want to rush a player who is still building match fitness.

The target set by Flick is for the Dutchman to be back in the squad for the match against Real Betis. The signs are positive, with the player no longer feeling pain and progressing in the right direction, but the manager prefers to give him extra time rather than take unnecessary risks.

The plan is that maybe against Betis he will be in the squad for the first time. The news is good, he has no pain, but we have to wait.

De Jong as a centre-back option for Flick

Andreas Christensen remains out of the main group and is training separately on an adjacent pitch, leaving Barcelona short of defensive options. With only Cubarsí and Gerard Martín available as natural first-team centre-backs, Flick has openly admitted that De Jong is one of the alternatives he is considering for the role.

The Dutchman's ability to drop deep, receive the ball under pressure and build play from the back fits exactly what the German coach wants from his defenders. Flick could also shift Jules Koundé into the middle or bring Eric Garcia back, which would allow him to protect De Jong until he is fully ready.

De Jong's injury and recovery without surgery

De Jong picked up the injury in the summer when he returned from the World Cup carrying a problem in the internal lateral ligament of his right knee. The medical report was more concerning than the player initially expected, and he later admitted in an interview with club media that the setback was worse than he first thought.

Rather than undergoing surgery, the midfielder chose a conservative treatment plan, a decision that meant a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Four months after the initial injury, he has now returned to normal training with his teammates, a crucial step before receiving the green light to compete again.

What is at stake for Barcelona against Getafe and Galatasaray

De Jong's absence for the next two matches forces Flick to reshape his team with the players he has available. The LaLiga clash against Getafe always demands intensity and direct play, conditions the Dutchman would not be able to meet without full preparation. In Europe, the trip to Galatasaray represents the first continental test of the season away from home.

The manager is protecting a player who is expected to be crucial as the campaign progresses. With a short defensive squad and points at stake in two competitions, De Jong's gradual reintegration is one of the keys to the early weeks of the season. If the timeline holds, his return against Real Betis would provide an ideal scenario to assess his true level without excessive risk.

Frequently asked questions about Frenkie de Jong's return