According to reports, Barcelona’s dramatic comeback against Celta Vigo masked many of the team’s weaknesses, but one glaring issue was De Jong’s poor positioning. The Dutch midfielder, in a key role for Barcelona’s style of play, has been making more mistakes than expected.

De Jong was particularly at fault for Borja Iglesias’ second goal; he hesitated in challenging the ball, and his miscommunication with Iñigo Martínez allowed Iglesias to score in a one-on-one situation. Beyond this mistake, De Jong has struggled to maintain his defensive positioning. While he contributes to smoother attacking transitions, his defensive performance—where he should act as a third center-back—has been subpar.

The absence of Marc Casadó, an injured academy player, is felt in these circumstances. Casadó, with his solid defending and composed ball distribution, had been highly effective in this strategic role. While he may lack De Jong’s leadership experience, he had shown greater efficiency in this position.

Despite the criticism, Hansi Flick retains strong faith in De Jong and supports extending his contract. De Jong’s current deal runs until June 2026, and Barcelona must decide whether to renew his contract or consider selling him this summer.