Frenkie de Jong is back in training for Barcelona after recovering from a knee injury sustained during the World Cup, and the Dutchman could find himself in a new position once he returns to the pitch.
According to reports from Catalan media Hansi Flick has tried De Jong as a center-back since his return to training, and Pau Cubarsí was asked at a press conference on Monday if he thinks De Jong can play in that position.
“He has a spectacular level [anywhere], but in his position he is one of the best in the world and he will perform at his best in that position; he will be very important for the squad.“
Cubarsí’s answer is pretty telling coming from a full-time center-back, and training experiments don’t always translate to the games.
Frenkie has played CB before both at Barça and at Ajax, and using him in that role would get him into the team without having to replace Rodri or Pedri. But he’s quite simply world-class in midfield, and playing him anywhere else feels like a waste.