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Flick-Deco Disagreement Opens the Door: Could Hamza Abdel Karim Become Barcelona's New No. 9?
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A disagreement over Barcelona's next centre-forward could unexpectedly provide Hamza Abdel Karim with the biggest opportunity of his young career.
Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco are reportedly united over their preferred target, Julián Álvarez, but their views differ considerably over what Barcelona should do if the Argentine does not arrive.
Flick wants a recognised centre-forward. Deco believes Barcelona may already have enough attacking quality to cope without one.
Caught between those two approaches is an 18-year-old Egyptian who has spent pre-season making an increasingly convincing case that part of the answer may already be at the club.
One Problem, Two Solutions
Barcelona's pursuit of Álvarez remains complicated. Atlético Madrid have resisted the Catalan club's attempts to sign the Argentine, despite Barcelona reportedly making an offer worth €100 million. Atlético's position has left Barcelona considering what happens if their principal target proves unattainable.
That is where the difference between Flick and Deco becomes important.
According to AS, Flick believes Barcelona need a conventional No. 9 and wants another high-level centre-forward if Álvarez cannot be signed.
Deco sees another route. With players such as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Karim Adeyemi and others capable of operating across the attack, the sporting director believes Barcelona could use their versatility rather than spend heavily on a striker who does not fully convince them.
It is essentially a choice between replacing a No. 9 with another No. 9, or changing the way Barcelona attack.
And Then There Is Hamza
For Hamza, Flick's position is potentially significant.
The Egyptian is not a makeshift centre-forward or a winger being asked to play through the middle. He is a natural striker, precisely the profile Flick believes his squad needs.
And his case is no longer based purely on potential.
Flick started Hamza against Birmingham City during Barcelona's pre-season preparations, and the 18-year-old responded by scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw before Barcelona lost on penalties. More importantly, Flick subsequently praised the Egyptian's performance and highlighted his movement and finishing as the type of qualities he expects from a No. 9.
That changes the conversation.
Hamza is still an 18-year-old at the beginning of his Barcelona career, and two goals in a friendly do not suddenly make him the answer to one of the most important positions in the team.
But they do give Flick something he did not have before: evidence that a young conventional striker already inside the squad might be capable of contributing.
From Barça Atlètic to the First-Team Picture?
Only weeks ago, the question surrounding Hamza was largely whether he could convince Flick to keep him around the senior squad.
Now the circumstances are beginning to look different.
Hamza gave up the opportunity for a post-World Cup break to join Barcelona's pre-season preparations, travelled with the senior squad and then took his opportunity against Birmingham.
If Barcelona sign Álvarez or another established centre-forward, Hamza's immediate route to significant first-team minutes would naturally become more difficult.
If they sign nobody, however, Flick faces another decision.
Does he accept Deco's solution and construct an attack without a traditional striker? Or does he give increasing responsibility to the young Egyptian who already offers the profile he has been asking for?
Opportunity, Not Promotion
There is an important distinction.
The current situation does not mean Hamza is about to become Barcelona's starting No. 9. Álvarez remains the club's preferred target, while Barcelona possess far more experienced attacking players.
What has changed is Hamza's opportunity.
A player who entered pre-season attempting to convince Flick that he deserved a place around the first team could finish it as one of the few natural centre-forward options available to him.
Barcelona's transfer business will ultimately determine how large that opportunity becomes.
But if the club reaches the end of the window without a new striker, the disagreement between Flick and Deco may produce an unexpected winner.
His name could be Hamza Abdel Karim.