Barcelona's Midfield Boost with Rodri's Arrival
Barcelona will have to wait to unveil their marquee midfield signing.
Hansi Flick confirmed on Saturday that Rodri, brought in from Manchester City in a blockbuster deal, will not feature in Barça’s La Liga opener away to Elche on Sunday.
“He's very concentrated, focused, our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team,” Flick told reporters. “This is the plan. He's a fantastic player, a leader, and his personality is very great.”
The Spanish World Cup winner joined the champions for a fee that could climb to 76.5 million euros ($89 million), a statement signing to anchor and elevate Barcelona’s midfield for the coming years. His debut, though, is pencilled in for later in the week, with Flick indicating he could be involved in Thursday’s clash against Athletic Bilbao.
Striker search continues after big-name exits
Rodri’s arrival solves one problem but leaves another exposed. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone, Barcelona head into the new campaign still short of a recognised centre-forward and actively combing the market for a striker.
Flick kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would start up front at the Martinez Valero stadium. What he did not hide was his enthusiasm for one of pre-season’s surprise stories: 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim.
“Hamza is having a really great pre-season,” Flick said. “He's a number nine, he's young, and he has a lot of potential, and also he scored goals. This is the important thing when you're playing in this position, and he made a great job.”
Four goals in friendlies have pushed Abdelkarim into the conversation at exactly the right time, with the squad still light in the penalty area and the season about to ignite.
Barcelona do have alternatives who can improvise through the middle. New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, are capable of operating as false nines, as are Raphinha and Dani Olmo. It gives Flick options, but not yet the out-and-out No 9 the club are chasing.
Cancelo ready, Rodri to follow
One reinforcement who will be on the pitch at Elche is Joao Cancelo. The full-back, signed this week, has already convinced his new coach.
“He's ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” Flick added.
So Barcelona open their title defence with their new right-back available, their new midfield general waiting in the wings, and a teenager suddenly thrust into the spotlight as a possible No 9.
The champions are rebuilt in key areas, yet still one signing short in the one zone that so often decides everything.
