{
  "id": 13196627,
  "title": "Barcelona star could be tested in new role by Hansi Flick",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/barcelona-star-could-be-tested-in-new-role-by-hansi-flick",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T20:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/barcelona-star-could-tested-role-200500870.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong may be given the opportunity to test out a new role as a centre-back under manager Hansi Flick. The Dutch midfielder, who has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury during the World Cup, has shown significant improvement in his recovery and is now reportedly close to being medically cleared. De Jong's starting position is currently under threat from young talent Marc Bernal, and has been further challenged by the arrival of experienced centre-back Rodri from Manchester City. With Barcelona lacking options in the defensive line, Flick has suggested that De Jong could step into a new defensive role, stating, \"Frenkie as a centre-back? We have several options in that position, and Frenkie de Jong is also capable of playing there.\"",
  "summary": "Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has opened the door to the prospect of testing midfield star Frenkie de Jong in a deeper role at the heart of defence.Dutchman De Jong is for his part yet to take to t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}