Hamza Abdelkarim is knocking on Flick’s door, but can Barcelona really trust him as their No. 9? | OneFootball

Barcelona’s search for a new striker has produced names worth tens of millions of euros, but the most intriguing solution may already be inside the club.

Hamza Abdelkarim has done enough during pre-season to make supporters wonder whether Hansi Flick really needs another expensive striker.

In fact, he has done so much that the club are already opening talks with his agent on a new contract to remove a release clause that doesn’t justify his potential.

So, do the club just trust Hamza for the new season? It is an attractive idea, but one that Barça must handle with utmost caution.

Abdelkarim has earned this conversation

The first thing to make clear is that Abdelkarim should no longer be treated simply as an academy prospect.

There is something genuinely interesting about his profile as a centre-forward that immediately catches the eye.

Hamza Abdelkarim made a strong impression during the pre-season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

He gives Barça a natural presence through the middle. He wants to attack the box, pin centre-backs and arrive in scoring positions at the perfect times.

For a squad that already has plenty of players who want the ball at their feet, Abdelkarim is the perfect complement.

There is also clear value in having a striker who does not need the entire attack built around him.

With Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi around, Barça’s No. 9 does not need to be the team’s creative superstar.

He simply needs to make the right runs and score goals. Abdelkarim, throughout pre-season, has shown that he can do that.

The Egyptian is certainly useful, but is he ready?

This is where the excitement needs some much-needed perspective.

Barça do not need to wonder whether Abdelkarim deserves first-team minutes. He does.

Can Hansi Flick trust Hamza Abdelkarim?. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

The real question is whether he is ready to carry meaningful responsibility for a team expected to win La Liga and challenge for the Champions League.

That is a completely different ball game.

Young strikers can look ready very quickly because goals change perceptions. However, playing as a No. 9 for Barça requires much more.

Abdelkarim needs to press correctly, understand his teammates, play with his back to goal and connect attacks in tight spaces in games where goalscoring chances do not come easily.

Every missed chance would become an examination. Every poor performance would lead to question marks.

The pressure of wearing Blaugrana as a striker is enormous, and placing it on an 18-year-old’s shoulders might not be wise from Barcelona.

Flick could offer him a genuine pathway

The strongest argument for the Egyptian is Hansi Flick himself.

If the youngster proves he can fulfil the coach’s demands for his system, Flick has shown little reason to care for age or reputation.

All eyes on Flick and his management of the Egyptian talent. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barça’s current squad gives the coach enough attacking quality to ease in a young striker without asking him to be Lewandowski’s replacement immediately.

There is a sensible version of this plan: sign one senior striker and keep Hamza in the first team as the developmental bet.

That would allow him to start some matches, come from the bench and play with Barça Atletic when the minutes are hard to come by.

Barça should not ask him to solve their problem

The dangerous version of this plan would be deciding that a few encouraging performances in low-pressure pre-season games mean Barça no longer need a striker.

That would put an unfair burden on the Egyptian and leave Flick exposed if the youngster struggles to turn impact into consistency.

The important distinction for Barça is that Abdelkarim can be a part of the striker solution this summer. However, he cannot be “the” striker solution.

Barça should give Abdelkarim the opportunity to surprise them this season, but with enough cushion, and it remains to be seen how they address that situation this week.