Hansi Flick has clarified matters regarding Barcelona’s midfield. After yesterday’s match against Benfica, in which Frenkie de Jong started again, the German coach confirmed that the Dutchman is the first-choice midfielder for important matches.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, this decision places Marc Casado in a difficult position. Having secured his place in the team at the beginning of the season, he will now have to accept a substitute role. For Flick, De Jong is the ideal choice, so Casado will have to be patient and wait for his opportunity.
Since Hansi Flick took over as Barcelona coach, Frenkie de Jong has seen significant improvement in his performance. The Dutchman, who was criticized for his inconsistent performances in previous seasons, is now the team’s mastermind, excelling in his ability to control the tempo of the game, his vision, and his ability to recover the ball. Furthermore, his versatility, whether as a pivot or in more advanced roles, has made him a key player in Flick’s system.
In yesterday’s match against Benfica, De Jong proved once again why he is the starting midfielder in crucial matches. His presence on the pitch provided balance and security for the team, and he played a key role in Barcelona’s control of the match and securing the victory. For Flick, there is no doubt that De Jong is irreplaceable in big matches.
On the other hand, Marc Casado finds himself in a challenging position. The 21-year-old, who managed to secure a place in the team at the start of the season, benefited from De Jong’s injury and the decline in performances of some of the other midfielders. However, after De Jong’s recovery, Casado has been moved to a substitute role, which became evident in yesterday’s match against Benfica, where he received no minutes despite the need to strengthen the midfield.
Although Casado has proven his worth and has a promising future, Flick has emphasized that De Jong is the reliable option in crucial matches. This doesn’t mean that Casado won’t get opportunities, but he will remain a substitute and must wait for the right opportunity to prove himself.
Furthermore, Barcelona may consider loaning Casado out during the next summer transfer window to gain more time and experience with other teams. While the club appreciates his potential, it also recognizes that the player needs regular playing time to continue developing.