Barcelona discover themselves in an uncommon place heading into the brand new season.
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Hansi Flick presently has no pure senior centre-forward in his first-team squad.
The Pole left on the finish of final season upon the expiry of his contract, whereas Ferran requested to go away as soon as PSG got here calling.
The Spaniard was unveiled as a brand new PSG participant earlier at the moment, formally leaving Barça with out strikers within the squad forward of the brand new season.
In keeping with Mundo Deportivo, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez stays Barcelona’s main goal out there.
Nonetheless, till that operation materialises, if it does, Flick has a number of inner choices to depend upon.
Hamza Abdelkarim the one pure No. 9
Hamza Abdelkarim is presently the one recognised striker working across the first group.
The 18-year-old earned his pre-season alternative after his progress with the Juvenil A and involvement on the World Cup. He then made his case by scoring twice within the pleasant towards Birmingham Metropolis.
How Barcelona end developing their squad will possible decide whether or not Hamza stays round Flick’s group or continues his improvement elsewhere throughout the membership.
Much less typical options
Past the teen, Barça must flip in direction of much less typical options.
Dani Olmo has beforehand operated as a false 9, whereas Lamine Yamal has more and more been examined in central areas.
Flick revealed throughout pre-season that the 19-year-old is able to adapting to the place, and Lamine has subsequently performed as a false 9 throughout coaching video games.
Ebrima Tunkara and Shane Kluivert have additionally been used as false-nine choices, however the latter is now again with Barça Atletic.
In the meantime, the 16-year-old continues to remain in the first team and may very well be tried out as a false 9 occasionally.
Gordon and Adeyemi provide totally different options
New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi present Flick with one other two prospects.
The Barcelona coach has publicly highlighted the flexibility of each summer time additions, explaining that they will function on both wing or by the center.
Gordon already has expertise taking part in centrally from his Newcastle days. His tempo might give Barça a totally totally different sort of menace at No. 9, significantly when Flick needs his group attacking area slightly than taking part in with a standard reference level.
Adeyemi is equally comfy transferring throughout the entrance line and has beforehand performed in that place, regardless of not being a pure there.
Barça have choices however nonetheless want a striker
Flick’s flexibility means Barcelona should not utterly helpless whereas ready for a brand new No. 9.
Lamine, Olmo, Gordon and Adeyemi might all perform centrally relying on the opponent and sort of sport.
In reality, taking part in with no fastened striker might sometimes make an already fluid Blaugrana assault much more troublesome to defend.
Nonetheless, these are options, and the membership want to know the which means of that tag. They will do a job there, however none of those gamers could be mistaken for options.
Lamine’s biggest affect presently comes from having freedom to create slightly than carrying the obligations of main the road each week.
Gordon and Adeyemi additionally present extra worth from wider areas. That’s the reason the pursuit of Alvarez stays essential.
Barcelona must signal a brand new No. 9 between now and the tip of the summer time. Whether or not it’s Alvarez or another person relies on Atletico Madrid’s stance within the coming weeks.
