Barcelona boss Hansi Flick provides fitness updates on Frenkie de Jong and Gavi ahead of Osasuna clash
There's good news in store for Barcelona fans with manager Hansi Flick providing an update on their star midfield duo. The German gave a positive update around the fitness of Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, who have been long term absentees for the Catalan club.
The Dutch midfielder injured his ankle in April last season and has been out of action since. Despite being recommended surgery, De Jong opted for a non-invasive course of treatment. He has missed over five months of competitive action, including Netherlands' semi-final run at the 2024 Euros.
20-year-old Gavi, on the other hand, underwent surgery after suffering a serious knee injury during Spain's qualifying match for the 2024 Euros against Georgia last year.
Flick provided a positive update on the duo's progress but did not commit on a timeline on their return to competitive action.
Speaking to the press ahead of Barcelona's La Liga match against Osasuna, the former Bayern Munich manager said:
"What I’ve seen in training is really good. Also Gavi, the way they are training is really good. I think he is near to be able to being able to help us. We have to see how it works. We will see next week."
A product of La Masia, Gavi had established himself as a key cog in the Barcelona midfield ever since making his debut in August 2021. He won the Kopa trophy and the Golden Boy award in 2022 after his breakthrough year.
The 2022-23 season saw him star for Barca in their league winning campaign under Xavi while he won the UEFA Nations League with Spain as well.
De Jong signed for Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 in a deal worth €75 million plus add-ons. In the five seasons he has spent with the Catalan side, he has made 213 appearances and won the league once.
Barcelona's impressive start under Hansi Flick
Hansi Flick replaced Xavi at the Camp Nou hotseat over the summer. A pre-season of mixed results had raised doubts over the German's ability to help Barcelona regain their lost glory.
All doubts were disproved once the season started, however, with Flick's Barcelona adopting an exciting brand of football and making a perfect start. The Blaugrana have won all seven of their La Liga matches so far this season, taking them to the top of the table, four points ahead of rivals Real Madrid.
The Champions League proved to be a roadblock for Flick, where he suffered the first defeat of his Barca career. Monaco took advantage of the Catalan club being reduced to 10-men in the 10th minute itself and registered a 2-1 win at home.
They, however, bounced back immediately, defeating, Villarreal 5-1 in their very next match and followed it up with a 2-1 win over Getafe on Wednesday, September 25. Barca are next in action against Osasuna at the weekend before they host Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday, October 1.