Rodri's Debut Delayed as Barcelona Prepares for Elche

Hansi Flick will have to wait to unleash his biggest summer signing.

The Barcelona coach confirmed on Saturday that Rodri, brought in from Manchester City in a deal that could reach 76.5 million euros, will not feature in the La Liga champions’ 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.”

Rodri, a World Cup winner with Spain, is expected to anchor a revamped Barça midfield and could make his debut in the second league match, at home to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, if everything goes to schedule.

Striker search goes on

While the midfield has been reinforced in emphatic fashion, the forward line remains a live issue. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both gone, Barcelona are still combing the market for a new striker.

Flick kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would start up front at the Martínez Valero, but he did not hide his enthusiasm for 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, who has forced his way into the conversation with a prolific pre-season.

“Hamza is having a really great pre-season,” Flick said. “He’s a number nine, 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.”

Four goals in the friendlies have turned the Egyptian youngster from academy prospect into a genuine option as Barça kick off their title defence without a recognised senior centre-forward.

The responsibility does not rest on his shoulders alone. New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, are also capable of operating through the middle as false nines, as are Raphinha and Dani Olmo, giving Flick a range of flexible, mobile options rather than a traditional target man.

Cancelo ready to go

At the other end of the pitch, one new arrival is already in the frame.

Joao Cancelo, signed this week to strengthen the full-back positions, is available to play against Elche and has impressed his new coach in the first few days.

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

So Rodri waits, the midfield general held back for a few more days, while a teenager and a group of adaptable forwards scrap for the right to lead the line in Barcelona’s first league game of the season.