FC Barcelona have changed their attack dramatically this summer, but there is one number that should prevent anyone from getting too comfortable: 54.
That is how many goals Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford combined to score last season. All three are no longer at the club.
It is easy to look at each departure individually and understand the logic.
Lewandowski was reaching the end of his cycle and his time at the top, Ferran’s sale was a piece of excellent financial business and Rashford was only on loan.
Collectively, though, by letting the trio go, Barça have removed a huge part of their production line from last season.
One striker cannot replace three goalscorers
That is why the pending striker file matters as much as it does.
Julian Alvarez is obviously the dream solution. If Barcelona somehow get him, they are signing much more than a No. 9.
The dream target. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
He can score, press, combine and create chances for himself. However, even Alvarez should not arrive carrying the expectation that he alone replaces those 54 goals.
More importantly, it seems very improbable that Atletico Madrid sell the South American this summer, especially to Barça.
Anthony Gordon helps. He gives Flick pace, directness and another attacker capable of reaching double figures.
Karim Adeyemi can contribute too, whether from wide areas or centrally.
However, Barça simply cannot calculate this as Gordon plus Adeyemi plus a new striker equals problem solved. The entire attack needs to absorb the difference.
Lamine’s next step could be goals
The most obvious candidate is Lamine Yamal.
Lamine is already Barcelona’s most dangerous attacker, but there is another level available if he becomes more ruthless inside the penalty area.
Flick’s plan to use him increasingly through central areas could accelerate that process.
We should not demand 30 goals from him simply because he is the superstar. However, moving from being primarily a creator towards becoming an elite scorer as well would transform Barça’s attack.
Dani Olmo is another player who needs to contribute more consistently. If he stays fit and spends more time close to goal, double figures should be a realistic expectation.
Then there is Raphinha. His ability to attack space, arrive at the back post and score without dominating possession remains extremely valuable.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian, fitness deserted him at the wrong times last season, but he certainly looks fit and raring to go during pre-season.
Gordon and Adeyemi help but Barcelona need more. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)
Barça need goals from everywhere
There is also a midfield element to it.
Everyone knows by now that Fermin Lopez has goals in him, but both Pedri and Gavi can look to increase their numbers.
Set pieces should be treated as a viable goalscoring opportunity and trained accordingly, rather than being considered an afterthought.
New arrival Rodri, in particular, could add a lot of value with his heading ability from corners and free-kicks and his long-range screamers.
Flick’s best Barcelona cannot become dependent on one striker scoring every weekend. That was part of the problem with the late Lewandowski era.
Now that they look set to start the season without a No. 9, everyone needs to take up the responsibility.
Gordon plus a striker can be enough, but only collectively
So, is Gordon plus one elite striker enough?
Probably, but only if Barcelona stop thinking about replacing 54 goals with one player.
If the new No. 9 contributes 20 to 25, Gordon adds 10 to 15, and Lamine, Olmo, Raphinha and Fermin collectively increase their output, suddenly those missing goals do not look impossible to recover.
If there is one thing going for all these players, it is that Flick’s system is designed to maximise goalscoring output.
Flick’s challenge now is to channel his new attacking resources and ensure that the system’s collective strength makes them more dangerous.
It does not necessarily need to lead to exactly 54 goals, but it remains to be seen who takes over the mantle as Barça’s primary goalscorer this upcoming season.