Hansi Flick plans to rotate Frenkie de Jong for Rodri at Barcelona

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick intends to prioritize Rodri and Pedri in his midfield lineup once the squad reaches full health. The technical staff views the combination of Rodri and Pedri as a key balance for the team, creating a significant challenge for Frenkie de Jong to regain his starting role upon his return from injury. De Jong has been sidelined since the 2026 FIFA World Cup after choosing conservative treatment over surgery, a decision that initially caused friction with the club. While the Netherlands midfielder is expected to be available by October, Rodri has already established himself as an influential presence and leader within the dressing room. Consequently, Flick plans to allocate fewer minutes to De Jong to maintain the tactical cohesion established by the new signing alongside Pedri. Other midfield options, including Gavi, Marc Bernal, and Brian Farinas, remain available for the first team rotation.

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