Barcelona handed boost as injured star set to return to group training in 3-4 weeks: Reports

According to journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to return to Barcelona's group training in three to four weeks. De Jong suffered an ankle injury in March and has since played thrice last season.

The superstar midfielder was ruled out of Euro 2024, where the Netherlands were knocked out in the semi-finals following a 2-1 defeat to England in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10). When fit, De Jong is a key player for club and country.

The latest report suggests that new Barca boss Hansi Flick could be handed a major boost, as De Jong is touted to return to group training within a month. The midfielder played 30 games across competitions last season, scoring twice.

De Jong has been at Barcelona since 2019 and has made 213 appearances across competitions, scoring 17 goals and setting up 21. He's one of the club's regular starters.

However, since joining Barca, De Jong has suffered 10 different injuries, and his fitness issues remain a concern for the club.

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Ronald Koeman blames Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong's Euro 2024 absence

Ronald Koeman was unhappy with a key player like Frenkie de Jong missing the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany this summer, where his team lost in the last-four. Ahead of the competition, Koeman said that Barcelona are to blame for De Jong's absence.

He pointed out the club's persistence in using De Jong despite the player suffering from an injury. Criticising De Jong's injury management by the club, Koeman said (via Forbes):

"The player has a history with this injury, and his club has taken risks with him. That leaves us in a bad situation with Frenkie."

De Jong made his international debut in 2018, and the 27-year-old has played 54 times for the Oranje, scoring twice and providing six assists.