Given the activities in the transfer window, it may suffice to say that the Spanish La Liga is set for another two-horse race.
The Hansi Flick reign has brought five trophies in two seasons. In fact, he has won five out of a possible eight trophies. His side has also dominated El Clásico. Of the seven El Clásicos he has managed, he has won six and suffured one loss. He was also the second Barcelona manager to win his first four Clásicos.
With five signings in the current transfer window, including the marquee arrival of World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri, Barcelona have once again shown their intent to compete at the highest level.
The Departures
But there could be an Achilles’ heel: the central striker position lacks an established goal scorer.
Robert Lewandowski has moved to Chicago Fire, while Ferran Torres has joined PSG. So, who leads the line for Barcelona?
Eighteen-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim has certainly given the club something to think about. He has scored four goals in six pre-season games. What a prospect!
But asking him to shoulder the responsibility of leading Barcelona’s attack throughout an entire season would be a huge gamble. At best, playing alongside or behind an established striker would give him the opportunity to develop without carrying the enormous expectations that come with being Barcelona’s primary No. 9.
❝He’s had a very good pre-season. He’s a ‘9’, a young player with a lot of potential, and he’s scored goals. He’s done a fantastic job.❞
🗣️ Hansi Flick on Hamza Abdelkarim #ElcheBarça pic.twitter.com/cUPtGPQIHG
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 22, 2026
The False 9 option
Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi can also operate centrally, but their best positions are out wide. Making either player the focal point of the attack could therefore come with its own risks.
Spotify Camp Nou debuts for new signings Gordon, Adeyemi and Bisiwu 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/IVWQm7W2AL
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 19, 2026
We are undoubtedly in an era where the traditional No. 9 is no longer indispensable. Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp and Luis Enrique have all shown that elite teams can function effectively with variations of the false nine.
However, it may be ill-advised for Hansi Flick to go down that route.
Every major trophy Flick has won at club level has featured Robert Lewandowski as a key part of his attack. The Polish striker was instrumental in Flick’s historic Bayern Munich treble-winning season, and he was equally important during Flick’s early success at Barcelona.
This could therefore be the biggest test yet of Flick’s title-winning credentials.
Real Madrid, their biggest rivals, also appear to be putting their house in order after a trophyless campaign. Barcelona cannot afford a significant drop in attacking output.
Flick’s high-line, aggressive football demands a strong attacking unit. Last season, Ferran Torres and Lewandowski combined for 40 goals, with 30 coming in the league. Together, they accounted for 27.8 per cent of Barcelona’s 144 goals across the campaign.
That is a significant contribution to replace.
Barcelona did attempt to address the position, with Julian Alvarez reportedly among their targets, but Atlético Madrid resisted their approaches. There were also reports linking the Catalan club with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, but nothing has materialised so far.
Market Realities
Even if Barcelona sign a striker before the transfer window closes, there is another challenge: integration.
A new striker would have little time to adapt to Flick’s system, build chemistry with Yamal, Raphinha, Pedri and the rest of the team, and immediately deliver at the required level.
Barcelona have an impressive puzzle.
They have Rodri, Pedri, Gavi among others in midfield. They have Raphinha and Lamine Yamal providing quality from the wings, while Gordon and Adeyemi add further pace and attacking options.
But one important piece may still be missing.
Barcelona may have strengthened almost every department. But without an established central striker, have they left themselves with the one weakness that could cost them when the biggest games arrive?
That, perhaps, is the biggest question surrounding Hansi Flick’s Barcelona this season.
