Hansi Flick 3.0 Takes Shape

A new season is upon us, and for Barcelona fans, the 2026-27 preseason has offered a tantalising glimpse into what lies ahead. Hansi Flick, now in his third campaign at the helm — backed by sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta — has been putting his squad through its paces with a blend of established stars and emerging talent.

Hamza Abdelkarim Grabs His Chance

Hamza Abdelkarim's name has been hovering around the Barcelona setup for a while. Inevitably, the Spanish press enthusiastically marketed him as the next big thing — but this summer, the hype became reality. With Robert Lewandowski officially gone and Ferran Torres following him out the door, the Egyptian striker was handed a golden opportunity.

It helped that Barcelona struggled to sign a new centre-forward, with Atlético Madrid playing hardball over Julián Álvarez. Flick gave Hamza total trust, and the Egyptian responded in kind — scoring and never stopping scoring, doing it through raw talent as well as industry, in a variety of ways. Expect to see much more of Hamza with the first team this season.

Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi Bring Wing Depth

Fans expected Barcelona to sign a striker this summer. Instead, they got two wingers — three if you include Jesse Bisiwu. And it's looking like a wise move. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both picked up costly injuries last season, and rotation will be essential if Barcelona are to achieve their goals across a long campaign.

We saw plenty of Karim Adeyemi in the summer games, and less of Anthony Gordon, but both inspire confidence that they will deliver exactly what they were brought in for — working hard on both sides of the ball and making a real impact. Both are also considered a better fit for Flick's system than Marcus Rashford, meaning plenty of rotation across the forward line could make all the difference.

Eric García: From Utility Man to Captain

It seems full-backs aren't appreciated like they used to be. When you have a great player but can't find a place for them elsewhere, you throw them in to defend and maraud down the flank. Jules Koundé inherited the right full-back position despite being a centre-back by trade — and now he could be moving back to his original position, with Eric García, also a centre-back by trade, taking over.

One thing is certain: Flick trusts Eric and wants him on the field. In addition, García is now a team captain — a player who has genuinely thrived in Flick's system.

Xavi Espart: The New Swiss Army Knife

Could Xavi Espart be the next Eric García? Don't expect flair from the academy product. Instead, you'll find the qualities that really matter — intelligence and versatility that make him indispensable to a manager with limited roster space. He's just 19, but has the calm and composure of a 30-year-old veteran.

Compared to the other La Masia boys who made their debuts this summer, the biggest difference is an 'act like you've been there before' type of energy. He's not desperate. He plays like he knows he already belongs. Along with Hamza, Espart is the other academy player who looks destined for a first-team role.

The Gamble: Strikers and Centre-Backs

At the beginning of the summer, most observers assessed that Barcelona's greatest areas of need were centre-forward and centre-back. The maths is stark: two strikers out, zero in. One centre-back out in Ronald Araújo, zero in. It's very likely that one last signing is around the corner, but it may not be the dream of Julián Álvarez that Barcelona have been holding out for.

Flick has confidence in Hamza and Álvaro Cortés as new depth options. He may also believe that Andreas Christensen is ready for a big comeback season, and that he is truly comfortable with Gerard Martín as a first-choice option. But if goals are harder to come by than expected, and if Barcelona have any defensive struggles, finger-pointing will be inevitable.

At the end of the day, the x-factor is Hansi Flick. With him at the helm, the Barça faithful have plenty of reason to feel bullish that more trophies are coming their way. As always, it's going to be one heck of a ride.