Barcelona find themselves in an unusual position heading into the new season.
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Hansi Flick currently has no natural senior centre-forward in his first-team squad.
The Pole left at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract, while Ferran asked to leave once PSG came calling.
The Spaniard was unveiled as a new PSG player earlier today, officially leaving Barça without strikers in the squad ahead of the new season.
According toMundo Deportivo, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s major target in the market.
However, until that operation materialises, if it does, Flick has several internal options to depend on.
Hamza Abdelkarim the only natural No. 9
The only natural striker in the squad for now. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)
Hamza Abdelkarim is currently the only recognised striker working around the first team.
The 18-year-old earned his pre-season opportunity after his progress with the Juvenil A and involvement at the World Cup. He then made his case by scoring twice in the friendly against Birmingham City.
How Barcelona finish constructing their squad will likely determine whether Hamza remains around Flick’s team or continues his development elsewhere within the club.
Less conventional solutions
Beyond the youngster, Barça would have to turn towards less conventional solutions.
Dani Olmo has previously operated as a false nine, while Lamine Yamal has increasingly been tested in central areas.
Flick revealed during pre-season that the 19-year-old is capable of adapting to the position, and Lamine has subsequently played as a false nine during training games.
Ebrima Tunkara and Shane Kluivert have also been used as false-nine options, but the latter is now back with Barça Atletic.
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old continues to remain in the first team and could be tried out as a false nine on occasion.
Gordon and Adeyemi offer different solutions
New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi provide Flick with another two possibilities.
Karin Adeyemi can operate through the middle. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)
The Barcelona coach has publicly highlighted the versatility of both summer additions, explaining that they can operate on either wing or through the middle.
Gordon already has experience playing centrally from his Newcastle days. His pace could give Barça a completely different type of threat at No. 9, particularly when Flick wants his team attacking space rather than playing with a traditional reference point.
Adeyemi is similarly comfortable moving across the front line and has previously played in that position, despite not being a natural there.
Barça have options but still need a striker
Flick’s flexibility means Barcelona are not completely helpless while waiting for a new No. 9.
Lamine, Olmo, Gordon and Adeyemi could all function centrally depending on the opponent and type of game.
In fact, playing without a fixed striker could occasionally make an already fluid Blaugrana attack even more difficult to defend.
However, these are alternatives, and the club need to understand the meaning of that tag. They can do a job there, but none of these players can be mistaken for solutions.
Lamine’s greatest influence currently comes from having freedom to create rather than carrying the responsibilities of leading the line every week.
Gordon and Adeyemi also provide more value from wider areas. That is why the pursuit of Alvarez remains important.
Barcelona need to sign a new No. 9 between now and the end of the summer. Whether it is Alvarez or someone else depends on Atletico Madrid’s stance in the coming weeks.