Chelsea are reportedly exploring a January move for Frenkie de Jong, with the Barcelona midfielder potentially available for more than €50m if he cannot secure regular football under Hansi Flick.
Barcelona have made a perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning all eight of their LaLiga matches and their only Champions League game so far. They have scored 34 goals in the Spanish top flight, at least 15 more than any other side.
However, De Jong has been unable to play this season after spending the entire campaign injured. Barcelona have continued to thrive without the 29-year-old, creating a difficult situation for the Netherlands international when he returns to full fitness.
Flick already has considerable midfield depth in Fermin Lopez, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi and Marc Bernal. De Jong can operate as a pivot or in a box-to-box role, but the current strength of the team means he may have to wait for an injury or a change in form to regain his place.
Chelsea have not replaced Enzo Fernandez since his move to Man City, and De Jong’s experience and technical ability could make him a natural candidate to fill that gap. The midfielder has consistently said he and his family are happy in Catalonia, but a lack of assurances over playing time could lead him to consider a move to protect his career.
De Jong has had 11 separate absences since the start of 2024 because of ankle, hamstring and knee injuries, illness and a lack of match fitness. That record may concern Xabi Alonso and the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge.
During the same period, he has made 84 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, starting 49 of those matches and being substituted in 13.
He has attempted 1,489 passes, the fifth-highest total in the Barcelona squad, and completed 1,357 at a rate of 91.13%. Only Andreas Christensen and Rodri have a better completion percentage, although they have attempted only 188 and 149 passes respectively.
De Jong’s 60% shot accuracy is among the best in the squad, but he has scored only three goals across the past three seasons. That is a significant contrast with Fernandez, who has scored 24.
The Dutchman has also registered 272 ball recoveries, placing him in Barcelona’s top six for that statistic. His duel success rate is 59.56%, while he has won 47 of 75 aerial duels. He has won 54 and lost 53 of his 107 attempted tackles, although defensive enforcement has never been his main responsibility.
His principal strengths lie in his vision, passing execution and ability to contribute to attacks. Chelsea’s uneven start, including 13 goals conceded and the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League, could make his composure and experience particularly valuable alongside Moises Caicedo.
Even so, persuading De Jong to leave Barcelona would require more than a convincing sales pitch from Alonso. Barcelona’s continued winning run could ultimately make the midfielder less essential, but it also gives the club fewer reasons to let him go.