According to a report by Barca Universal on Tuesday November 10, 2026, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has made his preferred position clear to Hansi Flick, insisting that he considers himself a midfielder despite being deployed in defensive roles this season.

The Dutchman has explained that he is willing to help the team wherever necessary but does not see playing in defence as a long-term option.

De Jong recently featured at right-back during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Flick had also previously used him as a centre-back during the team's encounter against Alaves.

Although the 28-year-old performed well in both unfamiliar positions, he remains convinced that midfield is where he belongs.

Speaking to ESPN, the Barcelona star explained that he would never refuse a request from his manager to play defensively. However, he believes his natural position should not be questioned.

He also revealed that playing in defence is not something new to him. Previous managers at Ajax and Barcelona, including Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez, occasionally deployed him in similar roles.

Meanwhile, De Jong has responded to criticism surrounding his individual performances. The midfielder believes many critics fail to understand his contributions because they do not regularly watch entire matches.

He explained that goals and assists are often used to judge players, despite those statistics not reflecting every aspect of their performances. He acknowledged that his attacking numbers are relatively modest compared to other players.

The Dutch international also provided an update on his fitness following the injury he suffered at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He insisted that he now feels strong and healthy but still needs time to regain his full rhythm.

When asked whether he could complete 90 minutes for the Netherlands, De Jong remained cautious. He maintained that he feels good but wants to assess his condition before making any guarantees.