Barcelona consider 18-year-old forward for first team if striker search fails | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have overseen several departures this summer, but the most notable of these has been that of the forward Ferran Torres. This transfer stands out both because it has been the highest value exit operation for the Blaugranes this summer, and also because it is set to have important sporting implications for their team going forward.

His departure leaves Hansi Flick without a natural first-team center-forward, as Robert Lewandowski had already left the club at the end of the last season. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez, who is the favorite candidate of the Catalan club to replace the Pole, still has his future highly uncertain as Atletico Madrid remain unmoved in their stance not to negotiate for his departure.

The German coach thus had to go into the last summer friendly, against Basel, with the clear shortcoming in the center-forward position. He started the game by playing Raphinha in the center of the attack, with the new signing Anthony Gordon taking the Brazilian’s place on the wing.

However, at half-time, he brought in the young forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who scored a goal only four minutes into the second half, after a good cross from Karim Adeyemi from the wing. Following this game, SPORT claims that although Barcelona are planning to alternate him between the first and reserve teams for the next season, if they are unable to sign a new center-forward this summer, the Egyptian can be an option for Flick.

Although still very young, Abdelkarim has still made a good case for a first team role. He impressed after having been signed by the club on loan last winter, leading to his permanent transfer this summer. He was also called up by the Egypt national team for the World Cup, and he played an important role for his national team.

Meanwhile, he has also impressed with the first team during the preseason, and, in fact, has been the team’s top scorer during the summer. He scored two goals against Birmingham City, and then scored his third last night against Basel.

Although he still needs time to adapt to the requirements of the Barcelona first team, there is no doubt that Hamza Abdelkarim has the talent and the skills to turn out to be a useful player for Hansi Flick, especially if the center-forward position remains vacant.