Ronald Koeman expressed frustration over Barcelona’s mismanagement of Frenkie de Jong’s ankle ailment after the Dutch ace was sidelined from Euro 2024.
Frenkie de Jong, key to the Netherlands’ midfield since his 2018 debut, earned 54 caps and netted twice. Yet, an ankle sprain incurred at Barcelona’s defeat to Real Madrid on April 21 has kept him off the pitch.
Despite being part of the light, non-contact drills last Sunday, Koeman, the Oranje head, was skeptical about De Jong’s readiness for their opening match against Poland in Group D this week.
Koeman even pondered dropping De Jong if he couldn’t compete in the group phase. The decision was finalized when the Dutch team announced post their 4-0 triumph over Iceland, “Frenkie de Jong won’t dazzle at Euro 2024. We stand with you, Frenkie.”
In a fired-up chat post-match on Monday, Koeman criticized Barcelona for their dicey gamble on De Jong’s lingering ankle woes, blasting, “Barcelona gambled; now we’ve paid the price.”
Last season, De Jong appeared 30 times for the Blaugrana, who trailed far behind Madrid in LaLiga and crashed out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals.
De Jong’s absence may reconfigure the Dutch midfield, likely lining up Tijjani Reijnders with Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman.
The injury curse persisted as Teun Koopmeiners pulled up with a thigh injury during Monday’s warmUp, bowing out from the lineup.
The Netherlands are now set to clash with Poland in Hamburg, later taking on heavyweights France and the solid Austrian squad helmed by Ralf Rangnick.
