Frenkie de Jong could be asked to fill in at centre-back as Barcelona manager Hansi Flick weighs up how to complete his defence amid a growing injury list.
Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are expected to occupy three of the four defensive positions, but the final place remains uncertain. Flick and his coaching staff are considering two possible solutions ahead of the match against attack-minded Aston Villa.
The more conventional option would see Cubarsi and Gerard Martin form the centre-back pairing, with Cancelo operating at full-back, potentially on the left, and Brian Farinas also involved in the defensive line.
The alternative is to move De Jong into central defence alongside Cubarsi, leaving Cancelo and Gerard Martin to cover the two flanks.
Barcelona have been forced to explore their options because Eric Garcia, Xavi Espart, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen are all injured. Kounde’s situation is particularly difficult after he sprained his left ankle against Real Betis and has yet to recover fully.
Farinas strengthened his case in the previous game against Deportivo Alaves. He started alongside De Jong with Gerard Martin rested, defended with discipline and brought additional energy to Barcelona’s attacking play, helping create more room for Lamine Yamal.
The appearance was Farinas’ first official match of the season. He had unexpectedly been given his opportunity against Deportivo Alaves after trying the right-back position during pre-season, although his main experience at La Masia came in midfield. His development has similarities with that of Xavi Espart, one of the club’s significant discoveries this season.
A number of analysts favour using De Jong as an emergency centre-back, although the approach could expose Barcelona to risks against Aston Villa.
Speaking on SPORT’s Ball Possession programme, Alex Delmas said De Jong was capable of succeeding in the role if injuries left the team with few alternatives.
“In my opinion, if De Jong plays centre-back, he can perform at the highest level. Playing him there amounts to adopting a pure 4-3-3. In the 2022-23 season, Guardiola used Stones in this role and ultimately won the Champions League. Of course, the players in the other three defensive positions must have good positional awareness,” said Delmas.
Delmas does not expect Flick to use that system immediately, however.
“The team is in this state now, with too many injuries. I don’t think we will see such an arrangement tomorrow,” he added.
The defensive line predicted on the programme was Cancelo, Gerard Martin, Cubarsi and Brian Farinas.
Midfield decision
Barcelona’s midfield presents another selection issue. Rodri and Pedri are expected to develop a strong partnership following Rodri’s arrival, but Flick must still decide how to include De Jong in the three-man unit.
Delmas suggested placing Rodri at the base of the midfield triangle, with De Jong and Pedri ahead of him.
“The first option is to use Rodri as the deepest midfielder in a triangle, with De Jong and Pedri in front of him. Flick likes this arrangement because the team can control the game better. It also allows midfielders to rest and makes squad rotation possible. Fermin Lopez can be placed on the left,” he said.
De Jong has previously operated in central defence. At Ajax in the 2017-18 season, following Davinson Sanchez’s move to Tottenham Hotspur, he dropped into the back line and partnered Matthijs de Ligt for the next 14 matches.
Rather than playing as a traditional centre-back, De Jong acted more like a libero, stepping into midfield with the ball to support attacks.
