Make no doubt about it. Hansi Flick is aware that “something is missing” on this Barcelona team. But while the transfer market grinds on, the Blaugrana manager is refusing to sit around and complain. Instead, he is experimenting with the options already at his disposal — and the early signs are promising.

Waiting game in the market

For now, the expectation is that reinforcements are on the way. Ideally, that means Rodri and maybe even Julián Alvarez arriving in Barcelona soon. But with the season right around the corner, Flick knows this time around the margin for error will be small, and a strong start could make all the difference.

Youngsters seize their chance

Against FC Basel, Flick experimented in interesting ways with very promising results. The first surprise was seeing Xavi Espart, the young full-back, get the start in the double pivot. “Is this guy really 19 years old?” was the sense around the exercise, with the teenage defender showing the maturity and versatility of a seasoned veteran.

If for some crazy reason the move for Rodri falls through, Flick wants to make sure he has options, at least until Frenkie de Jong makes his return towards the end of the year. That’s also why he has handed so much pre-season playing time to Brian Fariñas.

The number nine dilemma

The center forward position is the most concerning of all, with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both officially gone. While the Julián Alvarez transfer saga continues in the background, two main solutions have emerged: the possibility of using a false nine, with Raphinha getting the start in the position on Sunday, or going with the promising, albeit unproven, Hamza Abdelkarim.

A word on the young Egyptian. For many, he has been the player of the summer for Barcelona. Part of an Egypt side at the World Cup that was one of the biggest surprises — and very unlucky not to get past Argentina — Hamza arrived at the Barcelona pre-season as a man on a mission, understanding very well the opportunity in front of him.

“The kid looks like a center forward. Give him service, and he’ll score,” was the initial impression. What has surprised observers, however, is how much work he is willing to do without the ball. He defends like a machine, has great off-the-ball movement, and is showing killer instinct inside the box.

At this point, the question is whether he has done enough to earn a place on the first team. Even if Julián Alvarez arrives, many believe the answer is absolutely. Can you imagine Barcelona needing a goal in the last ten minutes of a game? You would want a big and aggressive target man to aim for.

Betting on the tree of talent

What has been great about Flick is that he continues to give academy players fair chances. The first thing he said when he arrived two years ago was how impressed he was by La Masia. That hasn’t changed. “He knows the magic is right there in front of him, and he isn’t waiting around for the sporting director to make moves on his behalf in the market,” the piece notes.

Rodri and Julián Alvarez would be special players to bring in, and they would make Barcelona stronger now and better able to compete for every trophy this season. But the future is bright because Flick is continuing to place his bets on the kids. Barcelona really is back on the rails, and back where they belong as the envy of world football.

Next up is the Joan Gamper game. When the players are introduced, it is worth a moment of appreciation for the tree of talent at Barcelona that continues to grow tall and proud.