Seasoned Frenkie de Jong shows unexpected defensive flair at Barça

It was a striking image in the top match between Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona (1-2) last weekend: the halftime‑substituted Frenkie de Jong surged like a true wing‑back down Barça's right flank, a striking image that underscores the midfielder's versatility. Hansi Flick sees the graceful midfielder as a usable defender, which has consequences for other squad members.

Flick's continued confidence in De Jong

Flick has always been enthusiastic about De Jong's qualities since his arrival at the Catalan powerhouse. Whenever the Arkel‑born creative player was available, he often started. This season the cards have been reshuffled again.

New tactics and position battle

While De Jong was absent for a long time with an injury, Flick inserted his newest engine in midfield: Rodri. His arrival, as well as the excellent form of Pedri and Fermín López, means that there is not a regular place for De Jong in the Catalan midfield. Since his return from injury, the Dutch international has therefore mainly played in positions unusual for him.

Flick deployed De Jong as a ‘10’, as a centre‑back and thus as a right‑back. Midway through the duel with Atlético, he entered the right side of the defence deservedly, after the twenty‑year‑old Brian Fariñas was out‑muscled in the first half by Álex Baena.

Flick will have watched De Jong's commendable cameo with the necessary pleasure, but that is far from the case for Alejandro Balde. The 23‑year‑old left‑back spent ninety minutes on the bench against Atleti, even though his German coach could also have introduced him and shifted left‑back João Cancelo to the right‑back position he was familiar with. Flick did not do that. He kept Balde on the bench, and the disappointment was evident on his face, AS describes.

“It showed the completely irrelevant role of the defender this season,” wrote the Spanish sports newspaper. According to AS it was ‘one of the toughest moments’ in Balde’s (23) still fledgling career.

A transfer is in the line of expectation, so it sounds. “The player initially did not want to leave, but it is clear that his situation is untenable, especially given his age and promising future. His agent Jorge Mendes has already taken action, aware that he must reach an agreement in January to satisfy his client. Clubs such as Manchester United and AS Roma already inquired last summer about the player’s situation,” AS assures. Both a loan and a permanent transfer are possible.