Flick puts his faith in Hamza Abdelkarim up front despite lacking a true number nine

There's no number nine on Barcelona's roster, and yet Hansi Flick showed up in front of the microphones with the calm of a man who has a plan already in place. Not a word about Julian Alvarez, even though he was asked about him more than once. The German coach preferred to shut that down quickly and make clear that particular matter is being handled elsewhere.

"I'm not worried about not having a number nine. I don't talk about players from other teams. We want to make the team stronger, I talk with Deco every day and he's doing a great job," Flick explained. He added a line that sums up the club's secrecy well: "Only Deco, myself and a few other people know exactly what we want."

Hamza, the in-house answer up top

While the transfer market runs its course, Flick already has solutions at home. "I have a lot of options to play up front," he said, and throughout preseason he tried them all. One of them has a name: Hamza Abdelkarim, a 19-year-old Egyptian forward who finished as the team's top scorer in preseason with 4 goals.

He's had a great preseason and has huge potential. The important thing when you play in that position is scoring goals, and he's done a fantastic job.Hansi Flick

The young Egyptian is being talked about as a strong candidate for minutes in the league opener against Elche, a decision that would confirm Flick is in no hurry to push through a signing unless it comes on the terms the club is looking for.

The door stays open for Kounde and Balde

Departures were also on the table. Flick didn't rule out Jules Kounde or Alejandro Balde leaving the club before the transfer window closes. "We have to wait until the end. There are a lot of changes happening, and when you make signings these are situations that come up. I've been very clear with them and we have to wait," he said.

Balde's case is drawing the most attention. With Jorge Mendes, his agent, visiting Barcelona these past few days, his future with the club is under review. Flick was blunt when discussing him: "Balde has a lot of quality, but for me it's important to see if you're committed to competing for your spot. Every day I want them to show me they're at that level, that they deserve to play. We'll only succeed as a team, and I need everyone committed 100 percent."

Rodri joins Monday, Cancelo already ready

At the last training session before the league opener, Joao Cancelo, unveiled just a couple of days ago, was present, but Rodri was not. Flick cleared up both situations: "Rodri is very focused and the plan is for him to join the group on Monday. I'm very happy he's here; he's a fantastic player and a leader with great personality."

On the Portuguese fullback, there was no hedging: "Cancelo could play tomorrow, he's ready. He has great quality and a lot of passion. Last season he gave us a lot." With this backdrop, Barcelona heads into the league opener against Elche with new pieces, others in question, and a coach who, for now, prefers to manage the timeline on his own terms.