De Jong-Flick Rift: Barcelona Exit Signals Grow
Tension between Frenkie de Jong and Hansi Flick is escalating at Barcelona. Flick reportedly believes the midfielder has sat out matches without medical justification. De Jong's Barcelona and World Cup numbers shed light on the situation.
Tension Between Flick and De Jong
A rift has emerged at Barcelona between head coach Hansi Flick and Frenkie de Jong. According to Gerard Romero, Flick believes his midfielder has missed several matches without any medical justification. The tension is reportedly significant enough that a summer departure could follow.
The Numbers Behind De Jong's Barcelona Season
According to StatsLook data, De Jong made 34 appearances for Barcelona in 2025/2026, contributing 1 goal and 6 assists. His average rating of 6.97 placed him in the top 17% at his position.
Looking at his per-90 numbers, De Jong ranks 3rd among La Liga central midfielders in total touches (92.18 per 90). He also ranks 2nd in the league in accurate passes (76.74 per 90) — showing he still plays a central role in Barcelona's build-up play. His placement in big chances created (0.42 per 90, top 4% of the league) is notable as well.
He ranks lower in direct attacking metrics like goals (34th) and shots (63rd), confirming a profile built around playmaking and ball circulation rather than goal output. His playing time has also been limited (62% starts) — a detail that lines up with reports questioning Flick's confidence in the player.
A Different De Jong at the World Cup
Playing 4 matches for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, De Jong delivered a more consistent showing with an average rating of 7.01. Among central midfielders at the tournament, he ranked 2nd in interceptions (2.18 per 90) and 3rd in ball recoveries (5.44 per 90), suggesting a more defensively-oriented but effective role for the national team. His 92.8% pass accuracy also made him one of the most reliable passers at the tournament.
A Dilemma for Barcelona
The numbers show De Jong remains a technically valuable playmaker — particularly in passing reliability and ball circulation. But the tension with Flick and his reduced playing time point to a situation where that technical value is clashing with internal club relations. A potential exit this summer would be a significant development for both Barcelona's midfield structure and De Jong's career trajectory.
This article is based on reporting shared by Gerard Romero. Statistics sourced from the StatsLook database.
