Barcelona have match in mind for Frenkie de Jong return

Barcelona finally look as if they may get Frenkie de Jong back after five months out of action. The Dutch midfielder has not recovered as hoped from an ankle injury that ended up affecting his ligaments in April, after two prior injuries in the same ankle.

De Jong was back training with the group for some of Monday�s session, and according to Diario AS, Barcelona believe he could be back in the matchday squad as soon as next week. The club had recommended surgery, but his ankle is now responding better to an increased workload, and if there are no setbacks, then de Jong may be on the bench for their clash with Getafe next week.

The Blaugrana were hit with news today that Dani Olmo will be out between four and five weeks, meaning he will miss all six games before the next international break. If de Jong can return and at a good level, then it will be not a moment too soon. While Fermin Lopez is also expected to return next week, currently Barcelona only have Pedri, Marc Casado and Pablo Torre as natural central midfielders, although Eric Garcia and Raphinha are being used there.

Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez has tipped teenage midfielder Chema Andres to one day make the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 19-year-old was called up by Carlo Ancelotti for their trip to Real Sociedad, although he did not get on.

Chema has been dealing with an ankle injury at the start of the season, but returned to action for Real Madrid Castilla two weekends back against Villarreal B in a 1-1 draw. He again started for Castilla against Betis Deportivo at Valdebebas on Sunday, with senior midfielder Dani Ceballos in attendance, and manager Raul was full of praise for Chema after the match, another 1-1 draw.

�I expect the same from Chema as everyone else. I want to help them in their respective processes. Yesterday he was lucky to be in the first team, today he played well, as expected of Chema,� he told Diario AS.

�He is a boy who has a lot of potential and is playing in a more demanding category. He is a boy with a great future for the first team. We will help him to be a great professional.�

Chema has been compared to Manchester City and Spain star Rodri Hernandez, and the fact that Ancelotti called on him so soon after his injury is a promising sign for him. Los Blancos may have to call on Castilla players this season for the first time in a while, if their injury crisis continues to worsen.

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