Ronald Koeman: Frenkie de Jong “Not at His Best Yet” After Injury Struggles

Ronald Koeman, the manager of the Netherlands, thinks Frenkie de Jong has a long way to go before he can return to his best form after suffering a chronic ankle ailment.

De Jong is getting ready to play for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League for the first time since September 2023. He just returned to action for Barcelona against Real Sociedad, narrowly avoiding another injury scare.

Koeman’s Perspective

Koeman shared insights about De Jong’s condition: “I got in touch pretty quickly. Then it became clear that it wasn’t his ankle but his shin, so it wasn’t a problem.” he explained to reporters.

“We assume he can play on Saturday, but he might need to train individually tomorrow. He’s been out for a long time and hasn’t completed a full game yet. So, naturally, he’s not at his peak yet. But it’s crucial for us to have him back.”