Barcelona has unearthed a new midfield hero in their recent match against Valencia, despite ongoing speculation about Frenkie de Jong’s future. With de Jong staying put and not in talks with other clubs, the team is buoyed by this fresh talent while navigating a period of adjustment without their star midfielder.
Barcelona discovers a new hero against Valencia—neither Kimmich nor Kanté
FC Barcelona have launched their new season in the best possible fashion. At the challenging Mestalla, where La Liga’s toughest away matches often occur, La Blaugrana secured all three points against Valencia. Despite trailing by a goal, Barcelona demonstrated resilience and grit by staging a comeback.
Many will rightly point to Polish star Robert Lewandowski as the match’s hero. The FC Barcelona striker scored two crucial goals with composure, particularly given Barça’s precarious position in the game. However, there was another player who also deserved significant recognition.
At just 20 years old, Marc Casado was one of Barça’s key investments this summer when they renewed his contract. Yet, they could never have anticipated that the former Barcelona Atletic captain would make such a remarkable impact.
As noted by Mundo Deportivo, Casado’s performance was so impressive that it gave Barcelona a defensive midfield hero who made them forget the potential signing of Joshua Kimmich or N’golo Kante. His impact is solid and stylistically similar, further underscoring his value.
Throughout the game, Casado was omnipresent on the pitch. He dug deep into defensive duties and made forward runs that almost led to goals. The youngster was undeniably vigilant and dynamic in his play.
Statistically, the 20-year-old La Masia talent excelled by completing 52 of 62 passes, achieving an 84% accuracy rate. He also won 7 duels, the most of any player, created two chances for his teammates, and successfully executed all five long ball attempts.
He also made four tackle attempts, two clearances, and three recoveries that facilitated smooth transitions for Barcelona. His apparent boundless stamina enabled him to cover for his teammates during every Valencia counterattack. Whenever Alejandro Balde was out of position, Casado quickly tracked back and provided cover, illustrating his invaluable defensive contributions.
Marc Casado’s role remains uncertain as more players, including Pedri, return from injury. However, one thing is clear: Casado and Marc Bernal have proven to be a dependable partnership at the heart of Hansi Flick’s team.
Barcelona’s midfield maestro is staying put and not in discussions with any other club
Journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that Frenkie de Jong is expected to stay in Barcelona for the foreseeable future.
According to Plettenberg, there are no plans for a transfer before the window closes, and no discussions have occurred with other clubs about a move.
This is due to Hansi Flick, the new Barcelona manager, who highly values de Jong and considers him a central element of his team’s plans.
There has been much speculation about de Jong’s future
Despite the ongoing speculation about de Jong’s future, largely driven by Barcelona’s difficult financial situation, a transfer isn’t imports indicated that Barcelona might be open to selling de Jong for approximately €60 million. This amount is significantly lower than the sum the club aimed to secure for him a year or two ago.
Manchester United had been considered a potential destination for de Jong. Still, they are no longer pursuing him at this late stage. As the transfer window nears its close, de Jong’s future at Barcelona looks increasingly secure.
De Jong is concentrating on his recovery
For now, de Jong is focused on recovering from a series of injuries that have affected him this summer. Barcelona has not yet specified a return date, which is concerning given his status as one of the team’s highest-paid players.
The club and its supporters will be eager for him to return to the pitch and contribute to the squad as soon as possible.
In the meantime, Barcelona will have to cope with a limited midfield roster until de Jong is fully fit. While the club remains hopeful for his swift return, they must navigate a period of adjustment without their star midfielder.
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