Hamza Abdelkarim gives Hansi Flick another option as Barcelona weigh attacking plans

Hamza Abdelkarim’s impressive pre-season form is forcing his way into Hansi Flick’s thinking as Barcelona consider how to strengthen their attack before the new season begins.

The 18-year-old Egyptian forward scored a superb goal against Basel, finishing directly from a well-delivered cross, to take his tally to three goals in Barcelona’s preparation matches. His latest display underlined his ability to make the most of the opportunities available to him.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that the goal was one of Abdelkarim’s standout moments of pre-season. It was not simply another addition to his personal record, but an indication of the qualities he can offer as a traditional centre-forward.

Abdelkarim showed a strong instinct inside the penalty area, moved intelligently and looked to bring attacks to a direct conclusion. Those characteristics could provide Barcelona with a different attacking option at a time when the club are still looking for ways to add greater variety to their forward line.

Barcelona are continuing to explore the possibility of signing an out-and-out striker. However, Abdelkarim’s form gives Flick an additional choice within his existing squad, particularly with the player still only 18 and possessing considerable scope to develop and gain experience.

The Catalan club have often used a false-nine approach, a system that played a major role in their history through players such as Lionel Messi. Barcelona also currently have more than one player capable of operating in that position.

Abdelkarim offers something different. Rather than dropping deep to link play as a false nine, he provides a focal point who can operate in the penalty area and focus on reaching the final ball. His presence could therefore give Flick an alternative to the attacking patterns Barcelona have relied on during recent periods.

The teenager’s performance in the 5-0 win over Basel continued a run of encouraging appearances during pre-season. He has increasingly made his presence felt in the attacking third and has repeatedly created opportunities for himself, whether those moves have ended with successful attempts or have broken down before the finish.

Barcelona’s management are still assessing their options in the transfer market, but Abdelkarim’s continued progress is making him increasingly difficult to overlook. Each effective performance strengthens his case for inclusion in discussions about the club’s attacking squad for the new campaign.

Pre-season alone cannot establish whether a young player is ready to compete consistently at the highest level of European football. Even so, Abdelkarim has taken advantage of the opportunities given to him and made a strong early impression.

His emergence leaves Barcelona considering whether the Egyptian forward could become the unexpected solution to a question the club had been trying to answer elsewhere: “Could the Egyptian striker be the surprise that was not part of the original plans?”