Barcelona star sent home from international duty | OneFootball

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has on Monday been afforded an early release from international duty with The Netherlands.

This comes amid ongoing efforts on the part of the midfielder to recover full fitness.

De Jong, for his part, took to the pitch in the colours of his country for the first time in over a year last week, afforded a starting berth in a Nations League meeting with Hungary.

And, en route to an eventual 4-0 Oranje triumph, the 27-year-old was widely praised for an impressive display in the middle of the park.

In turn, it may come as something of a surprise, on Monday, to hear of De Jong departing the Dutch camp prematurely.

On the eve of the country’s final fixture of the November break, The Netherlands have granted their engine room maestro permission to return to base in Barcelona.

This comes with De Jong still working towards a full recovery from a long-term spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Speaking to the media this morning, Ronald Koeman confirmed:

“For both Frenkie and Virgil it is better for them to leave the training camp at this moment. That decision was made on medical grounds, with of course the interest of the players coming first.”

Conor Laird – GSFN