Barcelona’s search for a new centre-forward has taken an unexpected turn after Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim continued his impressive pre-season form by scoring in the 5-0 win over Basel.
The 18-year-old, who plays as a striker for Barcelona, produced one of his most eye-catching moments of the preparations when he met a precise cross with a first-time finish. The goal took his tally to three in the club’s warm-up matches and underlined his ability to make the most of the opportunities given to him.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Abdelkarim’s display had strengthened his case for consideration by manager Hansi Flick as Barcelona assess their attacking options ahead of the new season.
His goal against Basel was significant beyond the addition it made to his personal tally. The Egyptian showed the qualities of a traditional penalty-box striker, including sharp movement inside the area, an instinct for finding space and a direct approach when chances appeared.
Those attributes are especially relevant as Barcelona continue to look for a recognised centre-forward to strengthen their attack. Abdelkarim’s emergence gives Flick another option, particularly because the player is still only 18 and has considerable scope to develop and gain experience.
Barcelona have at times relied on the false-nine role, a system that helped define some of the club’s most successful periods and was famously associated with players such as Lionel Messi. The squad also contains 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 in the penalty area, where he can attack spaces and concentrate on delivering the final touch.
His performance against Basel was the latest in a series of encouraging appearances during pre-season. He has increasingly become involved in Barcelona’s attacking third and has repeatedly created opportunities for himself, whether or not those moves have ended with a successful attempt.
The club’s board is still examining its alternatives in the transfer market, but Abdelkarim’s continued progress is making it increasingly difficult for Flick to overlook him when deciding the shape of Barcelona’s forward line for the campaign ahead.
Pre-season alone cannot establish whether a young player is ready to compete consistently at the highest level of European football. However, Abdelkarim has so far used every opportunity effectively, turning himself from a promising prospect into a genuine consideration for the first-team plans.
That has prompted a new question within Barcelona: “Could the Egyptian striker be the surprise that was not part of the original plans?”
