Flick draws conclusions from an unusual but useful preseason for Barcelona

With no international tour, half the squad arriving late after Spain's World Cup success, and no new center forward signed yet, Barcelona has had an unusual preseason. Unusual but useful. Because Hansi Flick has used every training session and every friendly to draw conclusions before LaLiga kicks off this Sunday at Elche.

It hasn't been a conventional preseason, but the German coach's experiments already offer several takeaways heading into his third year in charge at Camp Nou.

Hamza sneaks into the striker casting call

Barcelona still hasn't signed a nine to cover for the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, though Deco insists at least one reinforcement will arrive. In the meantime, Flick has used preseason as a laboratory: he played Raphinha at center forward against Basel and has also tried Lamine Yamal in a more central role in several training sessions. But if there's one name that deserves special mention, it's Hamza Abdelkarim. The 19 year old Egyptian, who was already at the World Cup, has been the only true number nine Flick has had available in preseason, and he's responded in style: he finished as the team's top scorer with 4 goals. Numbers that open the door for him to get minutes in official matches.

Espart and Fariñas, the academy products who won him over

Every preseason produces a La Masia name or two that sneaks into the picture, and this time there are two: Xavi Espart and Bryan Fariñas. Espart, who already debuted as a right back last season, has been tried by Flick in central midfield, a position where the coach himself compared him to Joshua Kimmich a few months ago. The academy product's response was notable. Fariñas, also a midfielder, matched the level that made him a key piece for Barça Atlètic last season, and now has a real chance of sticking around in the first team setup.

Èric García, from center back to right back

One of the moves that has drawn the most attention is Èric García's. The player himself explained it after the Joan Gamper Trophy: Flick told him at the start of preseason that he was counting on him to play right back, a position where he'd already appeared in stretches over the last two seasons. It's early to draw definitive conclusions, but the plan seems clear, and it would leave Jules Koundé, who played center back again in the Gamper, fighting for a spot from the bench.

Good signs from the new signings, and those left out of the plans

Among the summer's new arrivals, Adeyemi and Gordon flashed promise: the former scored against Basel and the latter came close to opening his account in the Gamper after winning a penalty he then failed to convert. Jesse Bisiwu also showed why the club paid what it paid for him, scoring twice in under two minutes against Basel, including a stunning goal. Not everyone has good news. Marc Casadó has become the name under scrutiny: it became clear in preseason that he isn't part of Flick's plans, and the club is already working on his departure. Guille, Toni Fernández, Tommy Marqués and Jofre Torrents also failed to convince, and have had to pack their bags before the league gets underway.