Barcelona Begins Season Without Rodri

Hansi Flick will have to wait to unleash his new midfield cornerstone. Barcelona’s coach confirmed on Saturday that Rodri will not feature in the Spanish champions’ LaLiga opener away to Elche on Sunday.

The former Manchester City midfielder, signed in a deal that could rise to 76.5 million euros, is expected to join full training at the start of the week and could make his debut in the second league match, against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

“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.”

Barca have brought in the Spain World Cup winner to anchor and elevate a midfield already rich in talent, but the rebuild is far from complete. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both departing, the champions enter the new campaign still searching the market for a centre-forward.

Flick kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would lead the line at the Martinez Valero. He did, though, shine a light on one of pre-season’s surprise stories: 18-year-old Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim.

“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.”

Hamza’s four goals in friendlies have pushed him into the conversation at exactly the right time, with no established No 9 currently locked in. The youngster is not alone in auditioning for the role either.

New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, can operate through the middle as false nines. Raphinha and Dani Olmo offer the same tactical flexibility, giving Flick several options to rotate and reshape his front line as the season begins.

At the back, one new arrival is ready to go immediately. Full-back Joao Cancelo, signed this week, is available for the trip to Elche and could make his first competitive appearance under Flick.

“He’s ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” the coach added.

Rodri will have to wait. Cancelo is primed. The striker question hangs in the air. Barcelona’s title defence starts with as many storylines as solutions.