Barcelona's No 9 Search: Rodri Waits as Flick Prepares

Hansi Flick will have to start his Barcelona reign without his marquee midfielder. Rodri, signed from Manchester City in a blockbuster deal, will not feature in the La Liga opener against Elche on Sunday.

The plan is patience.

"He's very concentrated, focused, our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team," Flick told reporters on Saturday. "This is the plan. He's a fantastic player, a leader, and his personality is very great."

Barcelona paid a fee that could climb to 76.5 million euros ($89 million) for the Spanish World Cup winner, a statement move to reinforce the heart of their midfield. Flick expects him to be available as early as Thursday, when the champions face Athletic Bilbao.

By then, the shape of his attack might still be a mystery.

With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone, Barcelona head into the new season without a recognised senior centre-forward. The market search for a striker continues, but the games will not wait.

So Flick turns to youth, versatility and improvisation.

He refused to confirm who would lead the line at Elche, yet he did not hide his admiration for 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, the Egyptian forward who lit up pre-season.

"Hamza is having a really great pre-season," Flick said. "He's a number nine, he's young, and he has a lot of potential, and also he scored goals. This is the important thing when you're playing in this position, and he made a great job."

Four goals in friendlies have pushed Abdelkarim into the conversation. Whether that translates into a starting spot in La Liga is another matter, but the message is clear: the door is open.

Flick is not short of options for a false nine either. New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, can drift inside and operate through the middle. So can Raphinha and Dani Olmo, giving Barcelona a fluid, rotating front line rather than a fixed reference point.

At the back, at least one new piece is ready to go.

Joao Cancelo, signed this week, will be available for the trip to the Martinez Valero stadium. "He's ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion," Flick added.

Rodri waits. The striker question lingers. Flick’s Barcelona, still under construction, walks straight into the spotlight on Sunday.