Barcelona players have reportedly been impressed by Frenkie de Jong’s physical condition and sharpness in training since the Dutch midfielder returned from injury, raising hopes that he can help address the team’s recent midfield difficulties, according to a Barca Universal report published on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

The 29-year-old could provide manager Hansi Flick with an important option following Barcelona’s recent encounters with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, in which the team struggled to maintain the desired level of control in midfield.

According to Mundo Deportivo, De Jong has returned in excellent condition despite spending several months away from competitive action. His ability to advance with the ball, retain possession under pressure and help the team progress from deeper positions could prove valuable as Barcelona seek to improve their performances.

De Jong made his long-awaited comeback during Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico. He entered the match in the 74th minute, marking his first appearance of the season after an extended period on the sidelines.

Flick introduced the midfielder in a more advanced role while the score was tied at 1-1. However, De Jong is generally more comfortable operating deeper in midfield, where his composure, passing range and ability to evade pressing opponents can help Barcelona build attacks and maintain possession.

His absence followed a knee injury sustained during the World Cup. The midfielder had been unavailable since the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on June 30, having reportedly struggled with the problem for around two weeks before the tournament concluded.

His brief appearance against Real Madrid was therefore an important milestone in his recovery. Although he still needs to rebuild his match fitness, returning to competitive action gives Flick greater flexibility when deciding how to organise the midfield for upcoming fixtures.

Mundo Deportivo reports that De Jong’s teammates have been particularly surprised by the level of sharpness and physical readiness he has displayed during training. Their positive assessment will be encouraging for Barcelona, especially as the team looks for players capable of handling intense pressure from opponents.

De Jong’s ball-carrying ability could be particularly useful against teams that aggressively press Barcelona’s midfielders and attempt to disrupt their passing patterns. His capacity to move the ball into advanced areas while maintaining possession could help the Catalan side escape pressure and establish a more consistent rhythm.

Flick has already acknowledged that Barcelona lacked freshness during their Clasico defeat. The return of an experienced midfielder could help address that concern by providing additional energy, composure and tactical balance in the centre of the pitch.

De Jong’s presence could also ease some of the responsibility placed on Pedri, who has played an important role in Barcelona’s midfield. Having another technically capable player available would give Flick more opportunities to rotate his options and adjust the team’s structure depending on the opposition.

The Dutchman’s return may also benefit Barcelona’s preferred double-pivot system, offering the manager another option for pairing midfielders and balancing defensive responsibilities with attacking progression.

Barcelona will nevertheless need to manage De Jong’s recovery carefully after his lengthy absence. His return to training and involvement against Real Madrid are encouraging developments, but his workload will likely need to increase gradually as he regains full fitness.

With the club seeking greater control and intensity in midfield, De Jong’s encouraging recovery could become a significant advantage for Flick as Barcelona prepare for their next run of matches.