Barcelona's New Midfield General Rodri Set for Debut Soon
Barcelona will have to wait to unleash their new midfield general.
Hansi Flick confirmed on Saturday that Rodri, signed in a blockbuster move to anchor the champions’ engine room, will not feature in Barça’s LaLiga 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 club brought in the Spanish World Cup winner from Manchester City for a fee that could climb to 76.5 million euros, a statement signing to reinforce the heart of the side. The wait to see him in action should not be long: Flick indicated Rodri could be involved as early as Thursday, when Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao in their second league match.
Striker question lingers after big exits
While the midfield has its new cornerstone, the attack remains under construction.
With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone, Barcelona are still scouring the market for a centre forward. Flick kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would lead the line at the Martínez Valero, but he did not hide his admiration for one surprise contender.
Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim has forced his way into the conversation with a prolific pre-season, scoring four goals in friendlies and catching the eye of the new coach.
“Hamza is having a really great pre-season,” said Flick. “He’s a No 9, 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.”
The 18-year-old may not yet be the marquee striker the club are hunting, but his timing could hardly be better.
Around him, Flick has options to improvise. New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, can operate centrally as false nines. So can Raphinha and Dani Olmo, giving Barcelona a fluid, rotating front line if the coach chooses to go without a traditional target man.
Cancelo ready, Rodri waits
One new arrival will be available from the first whistle.
Joao Cancelo, brought in this week to strengthen the flanks, has already convinced Flick he is ready to contribute immediately in Elche.
“He’s ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” the coach said of the full-back.
So Barça open their title defence with their new right-back on the pitch, their new midfield leader in the stands, and a centre-forward puzzle still unsolved. How quickly Flick finds the answers will shape the early weeks of his reign.
