De Jong is expected to remain sidelined throughout October after a knee ligament injury, according to the report. That would rule him out of Barcelona’s meeting with Real Madrid on October 25, as well as the Champions League visit to Paris Saint-Germain.
The earliest potential return is reportedly the clash with Alavés on November 1. Even then, the Dutchman may need to settle for a gradual reintroduction rather than an immediate starting role.
The decision reflects the length of his absence. De Jong has reportedly been out for around two and a half months, and the Barcelona coaching staff believes he will need several weeks of training to rebuild his match fitness.
Barcelona’s midfield is not short of talent, with Pedri and Gavi offering technical quality and intensity in central areas. Marc Bernal provides another option, while the club’s reported move for Rodri underlines how seriously it has taken the need for control and depth.
Still, De Jong offers a different balance. His ability to carry the ball through pressure, dictate tempo and connect defence with attack makes him particularly valuable in matches when Barcelona must escape an aggressive press.
The report says the club does not want to accelerate his comeback, despite his importance. That caution will be tested as the schedule becomes more demanding.
Barcelona’s strong start has reduced the temptation to take unnecessary risks. A team performing well without De Jong can afford to prioritise his long-term fitness over one high-profile fixture.
The next storyline is whether he can return to partial group training in October and build towards November without setbacks. For Barcelona, the bigger victory may be having De Jong fully ready for the decisive months ahead rather than forcing him back for El Clásico.