There are already 15 injuries this season. The last one, from Pedri, for many the most structural footballer of Flick’s Barça. His absence in the coming weeks leaves Frenkie de Jong without his best partner and forces him to have to take a new step forward. It is a loss that shakes the midfield ecosystem because it can even change the roles of some of its pieces.
Flick does not have the two fundamental pieces for the second height of the midfield: Pedri and Gavi. But, on the other hand, it has three midfielders (De Jong, Casadó, Bernal) and four playmakers (Fermín, Olmo is close to returning, Dro and Toni). Hansi’s big decision will be to see who he bets on for Pedri’s position.
Right now, everything indicates that De Jong, Casadó and Fermín will form the midfield against Elche, but the big decision is what to do with De Jong: keep him as a midfielder and advance Casadó or let Frenkie occupy Pedri’s position.
Hansi’s variants
Flick has tried both variants and although the team is very comfortable with De Jong playing ‘6’, the Dutchman seems the most prepared to assume the Canary’s role.. The German has also used Bernal this season, against Olympiacos, and Fermín, against Getafe, in Pedri’s positionalthough they are not long-term bets.
Beyond Frenkie’s role on the field during Pedri’s absence, the Dutchman has taken a step forward in leadership this season. It is something that could be seen on the day of its renewal or after the classic. Also in some interviews he has given in recent weeks.
“People confuse that a leader is someone who shouts a lot, who is angry, making gestures or who, if something happens, reprimands his colleagues.. But I think that people with character are those who remain firm in their values. Honest people, who help their colleagues. You don’t always have to shout to be a leader. In fact, when you shout a lot, people stop listening to you. You have to know how to speak at the right moment,” he recalled in El País.
De Jong is aware of the debate that exists around him but he has always been honest with the football he feels. “I think my game is difficult to evaluate because I don’t score many goals, nor do I give many assists. And people now pay a lot of attention to statistics. Then, I also have the ball a lot. Sometimes I hold it longer than other players. I don’t always play with one or two touches. Sometimes yes, but it depends on the moment […] There is no point in giving the ball to someone who is marked. Unless, of course, it’s Lamine or Leo at the time. If you have a free man, you have to go and fix so that there is another free partner. If I’m free and he quickly passes it to the side, I’m putting him in trouble.. “People can say ‘how fast he plays’, but I see it differently.”
During the classic he was especially interventionist, especially in the brawls after the match. But also in the microphones. “I saw when the referee blew the final whistle that there were Real Madrid players running towards Lamine. It was all a bit exaggerated but it’s their thing and they will know why they did it,” said De Jong, who criticized the attitude of Dani Carvajal, captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish team, with his teammate Lamine Yamal.
“You can talk to him privately if you know him and not make gestures. Or call him by phone.” Without Pedri, De Jong will also have to assume more prominence on the field. His teammates have no doubt that he will be important: they always claim him as the most underrated player.
The post Without Pedri, what role awaits De Jong? appeared first on Veritas News.
