Frenkie de Jong is once again becoming one of Barcelona's most important players

"From the beginning of his Barcelona career, he has played with some of the biggest names in the game. He started as a sidekick to Lionel Messi, and now he plays in the shadows of Pedri and Lamine Yamal. He doesn't score fancy goals, or even record many assists. And yet, regardless of who the Barca manager has been, and by my count there have been five, his role in the starting eleven has never been questioned."

"With the introduction of Dani Olmo before the Celta Vigo match, the dynamic of the team changed significantly again with a 4-3-3 where Frenkie was the only true midfielder on the field. Olmo and Fermin Lopez are capable on the ball, but they are attacking players first and foremost. Frenkie single-handedly controlled the midfield, and set the tempo for his team writ large, on the road at Balaidos."

"Necessity is quickly becoming the mother of invention for Hansi Flick. He didn't start the season expecting to manage a fire drill, but with injury after injury, even ones occurring during the game warmups, he has had to rethink his lineups, while having his tactics questioned on a weekly basis. Perhaps through all the drama, we have forgotten how valuable Frenkie de Jong is."

Hansi Flick faces constant lineup disruption from recurring injuries and last-minute absences, forcing tactical re-evaluation and scrutiny. Frenkie de Jong offers understated but crucial midfield control, providing consistency despite not producing flashy goals or assists. He began alongside Lionel Messi and now operates behind Pedri and Lamine Yamal, yet his starting role has remained intact through multiple managers. De Jong adapted well alongside Marc Casadó before the team shifted to a 4-3-3 with Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez as attacking options. He effectively controlled the midfield at Balaidos before receiving a contentious second yellow card.

Read at Barca Blaugranes