Ronald Koeman explains Frenkie de Jong’s replacement: “Too risky to continue”
Barcelona midfielder left the Netherlands match against Poland after feeling discomfort. His situation will be reassessed in Spain.
De Jong leaves game with pain
Frenkie de Jong was substituted in the final minutes of the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Poland, raising alarms in both his national team and Barcelona. The 27-year-old asked to be taken off after feeling physical discomfort. Shortly after, the Dutch federation confirmed he would return to Spain for recovery.
Koeman’s clarification
Coach Ronald Koeman addressed the situation in a press conference, stressing that the decision was precautionary rather than alarming.
“He felt some discomfort during the match, that’s why we substituted Frenkie. He hasn’t recovered enough to play tomorrow,” Koeman explained.
The coach insisted the injury should not be considered serious:
“We don’t think it’s anything too serious, but it was very risky to let him play.”
Barcelona’s concern ahead of La Liga
Koeman’s words offered some relief, but uncertainty remains for Barcelona. De Jong is a key piece in Hansi Flick’s midfield, and his availability for the upcoming La Liga clash against Valencia on September 14 is still doubtful.
The Catalan club’s medical staff will continue evaluations in the coming days, prioritizing a full recovery to prevent aggravating the issue.
