Frenkie de Jong

[Porque]

Casado was deeper, so Frenkie was Pedri's relief.

I mean in terms of overall football ability then Frenkie is way ahead of Casado and it's a great asset for us that he seems to have confidence over his ankle now.

But yeah, it's a bit of a silly debate as Casado playing well is incredibly important as our deeper pivot. And there is no issue in football having more limited specialist players. It's like saying Xavi is a better player than Mascherano. But was Xavi better than Masch as the deep pivot?

Frenkie can play there, but is not as impressive positionally and defensively. But he will have his benefits like when we need to carry seamlessly with Aroojoe and centre half.

 

[Loki]

Frenkie is using his playing time very well, while Casado isn't that spectacular in January, which is totaly fine because he still played for the B-team half a year ago and can't have immediately the stamina to play on the highest level on a three day basis.
Flick can use either one of them to start next to Pedri.

 

[Andresito]

In the end I think he will renew. He might not be the 100% sure starter he was before his injury but he will still play every game.

Salary reduction would be best case for the club but it's not very common for players to agree to. If I were him I would demand same salary as current contract because the club will never offer an increase.

Again, like Araujo, they could insert a realistic release clause in return for lower salary so that he has control over his future.

 

[Barcaman]

Don't think he'll renew. He knows he can't match the passion and energy of Barca kids. He knows he can't play as DM or attacking midfielder so there's basically Pedri role left. And that's not going to happen.
And new batch of Barca kids will appear in summer with Bernal back too. And maybe a new signing even.

But that's fine. Better he plays better the offers this summer.

 

[Dev]

Not too hot on him staying, barca needs a stamina merchant.
Injury has got him dumb hate, but its true he was never a perfect fit.

 

[jamrock]

He's not renewing, because I think the club wants to cut his salary and he sees yet another Barca kid sending him to the bench.

Best for him to go somewhere he will start week in week out.

Even though ETH is out, still think man utd is the best bet

 

[Joan]

Handing out superstar level salaries to backups is one of the reasons we ended up in this mess. Would be crazy to repeat it.

 

[TheStig]

The only hope he leaves was that he wouldn't play much until the summer but it looks like he will. So, 99% chance he stays another season and leaves for free in 2026. He'll sign as a free agent with his next club so he'll get a nice salary again.

 

[Andresito]

Don't think he'll renew. He knows he can't match the passion and energy of Barca kids. He knows he can't play as DM or attacking midfielder so there's basically Pedri role left. And that's not going to happen.
And new batch of Barca kids will appear in summer with Bernal back too. And maybe a new signing even.

But that's fine. Better he plays better the offers this summer.

That's the thing though, he might be fine with not being undisputed starter if it means he gets to stay at Barca while also keeping up his match fitness. Don't know about his ambitions but feels more likely this would suit him better personally than moving to PL.

Obviously what the club should ultimately aim for is to get as much money as possible in summer. It doesn't just depend on the club though.

 

[Loki]

There is still a chance of him renewing if he plays himself back into the starting line-up and agrees to cut his salary around 30%. But these are two big ifs. The hot phase of the season will be crucial. If barca is going to win important games and trophies, I can imagine he's willing to cut his salary to keep playing with this young promising team.
Don't underestimate the pull of the team structure and the city.

But first he needs to return to be an undesputed starter of course, because even 70% of his salary is still way too much for a bench/rotation player.

 

[Porque]

If renews will be some kind of Dembele deal. But bit more leveraged on our side as we have depth of options, and manager isn't head over heels with him. Plus finances slightly better.

Frenkie on the deal of a lifetime and has deferrals to pay. Can't blame him really. Just have to get best usage and not fall into this trap again with wages on future targets.

 

[FCBarca]

Barça have pulled the renewal and there are no further discussions planned until June

From there the plan appears clear, exit or be deregistered for final 12M

 

[JamDav1982]

No 'Barca kid' has benched FDJ before this season.

Xavi tried it briefly with Gavi and it backfired.. FDJ won place back and then changed formation for Gavi at AML.

When 433 under Xavi and before he changed formation FDJ was clearly the starter ahead of Gavi more often than not both in his first season and second before formation change.

This season Casado was deservedly ahead when FDJ was clearly wary of his ankle and will be ahead again if he goes back to that.

The club cant 'deregister' players and may well be best for both to part ways.

Let him go for free this with his deferred salary and he will go.

Casado has been average for a while now and bullied more and more. Lets see from here. He was decent last night though and worked well with FDJ.

Folk are barking up wrong tree if think FDJ will allow the club to make a decent fee from him. He would look to leave for as little as Barca would let him go for to keep as many options open as possible.

 

[Andresito]

No 'Barca kid' has benched FDJ before this season.

Xavi tried it briefly with Gavi and it backfired.. FDJ won place back and then changed formation for Gavi at AML.

When 433 under Xavi and before he changed formation FDJ was clearly the starter ahead of Gavi more often than not both in his first season and second before formation change.

This season Casado was deservedly ahead when FDJ was clearly wary of his ankle and will be ahead again if he goes back to that.

The club cant 'deregister' players and may well be best for both to part ways.

Let him go for free this with his deferred salary and he will go.

Casado has been average for a while now and bullied more and more. Lets see from here. He was decent last night though and worked well with FDJ.

Casado brings balance which Pedri and Frenkie benefit from. Won midfield battles against Bayern and Madrid x2 for example.
I don't see how Frenkie will improve that by replacing Casado which is why I think Pedri and Casado will be the pairing for most games if all fit.

 

[JamDav1982]

Casado brings balance which Pedri and Frenkie benefit from. Won midfield battles against Bayern and Madrid x2 for example.
I don't see how Frenkie will improve that by replacing Casado which is why I think Pedri and Casado will be the pairing for most games if all fit.

Pedri plays well in that deeper role no matter who is there really and has shown that with FDJ in last two domestic games before yesterday and v Benfica.

Would probably have to be Romeu level covering needed to pull Pedri back.

Casado came off the previous two games and FDJ was better than him and team improved and Barca were better v Betis with FDJ/Pedri than have been in majority the last two months.

By all means if Casado is better he plays and he has been for most of season when FDJ looks terrified of ankle.

Casado was getting rag dolled v Benfica and Getafe and was charging about out of position a lot giving them space to break albeit winning tackles also.

Dont think positionally he is that great at DM either and a bit light weight at times when paired with Pedri.

Barcas record this season with Casado/Pedri pairing is not that great.