By Katie Catherall
Frenkie de Jong has admitted he is willing to gamble and 'take risks' as he races to be fit in time for the upcoming European Championships.
Barcelona's star midfielder De Jong was forced to miss a chunk of the 2023/24 campaign after picking up a persistent ankle injury. He made 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice in that time.
Despite his troubling season, De Jong has been named in Ronald Koeman's squad for the upcoming Euro 2024, and is willing to pull out all the stops to ensure he takes his seat on the plane to Germany.
De Jong is currently taking part in individual training at the Dutch camp, where he spoke to reporters ahead of his plans to recover.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, De Jong said: "We have a trajectory in mind, but it will depend on how the ankle holds up whether I will be fit in time. I still work individually, then I have to join the group and then work towards a situation in which I can get playing time.
"That could indeed also be during the tournament. There are no hard deadlines, but there must be a prospect of participating in competitions. Otherwise there is no point in staying.
"I am prepared to take certain risks for a European Championship with the Dutch team, but the most important thing for me is that it does not become a chronic ankle injury.
"That is not the case yet and that is why I have not had surgery on the ankle. Yes, it is my third ankle injury this season, also on the same ankle, but there is no instability. Only the second time I may have started too early and the injury was still in my head."
During his press conference in which he announced his squad for the tournament in Germany, Koeman confirmed that De Jong's availability for the first group match is 'feasible', however he cannot say 'how long he will be available for'.
The Netherlands will take on Austria, France and Poland in Group D, with their first match coming against Michal Probierz's side on 16 June.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Barcelona star willing to 'take risks' to play at Euro 2024.
