According to a report published by Barca Universal on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has clarified his preferred position to manager Hansi Flick, insisting that he considers himself a midfielder despite being used in defensive roles this season.

The Dutch international explained that although he remains willing to play wherever the team needs him, he does not consider a permanent position in defence suitable for his long-term future.

De Jong recently featured as a right-back during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Flick had also previously deployed him as a centre-back during the club's encounter against Alaves.

Despite delivering impressive performances in both unfamiliar positions, the 28-year-old remains convinced that his natural role is in midfield, where he believes he can contribute most effectively to the team.

Speaking to ESPN, the Barcelona midfielder explained that he would never reject a request from his manager to play in defence if the situation required it. However, he maintained that his preferred position has always been in the middle of the pitch.

De Jong also revealed that playing in defensive positions is not an entirely new experience for him. During his previous spells at Ajax and Barcelona, former managers Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez occasionally used him in similar roles.

Meanwhile, the midfielder has also addressed the criticism surrounding his performances, suggesting that some observers fail to recognise his contributions because they do not regularly watch complete matches.

He argued that footballers are often judged primarily through goals and assists, even though those statistics do not capture every aspect of their performances.

While acknowledging that his attacking statistics are relatively modest compared with those of some other players, De Jong believes his overall contribution to the team's performance should also be considered.

The Netherlands international also provided an update on his physical condition following the injury he sustained at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He insisted that he now feels healthy and physically stronger but admitted that he still needs time to regain his full match rhythm and reach his previous level of performance.

When asked whether he was ready to play the entire 90 minutes for the Netherlands, De Jong avoided making any definite promises.

Instead, he explained that although he feels good, he would prefer to assess his fitness and physical condition before committing to completing a full match.

His comments highlight his determination to continue contributing to Barcelona while making his preference for a midfield role clear to Flick.