Hansi Flick used his first press conference of preseason to close down the transfer chatter swirling around his Barcelona squad, insisting he is thinking only about the players already on his books.
"I'm not dreaming. I focus on the squad I have now and the players who are here," Flick told reporters after Barcelona's preseason opener at Birmingham City. "I'm here, and what I see is that we have a lot of quality."
The remark landed against the backdrop of Barcelona's long chase for Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez, a pursuit Joan Laporta has pushed hard this summer even as Diego Simeone looks increasingly likely to keep the Argentine at the Metropolitano. Flick did not name Álvarez directly, choosing instead to talk up the squad already at his disposal.
That squad gave him plenty to like at St Andrew's, even in defeat. Birmingham City took the lead through August Priske before 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim struck twice — first from the penalty spot, then from close range after goalkeeper James Beadle spilled a long-range effort — to put Barcelona 2-1 up. Jhon Solís leveled for the hosts late on, and Birmingham won the shootout 3-2, with Beadle saving three Barcelona spot-kicks.
It was Abdelkarim's full debut for Barcelona's first team, and Flick made no attempt to hide his satisfaction with the young Egyptian forward, who joined permanently from Al Ahly after starring for Egypt at the World Cup.
"He's very humble, and he has a wonderful personality," Flick said. "He always tries to give his best, and he has huge potential. As a striker, you have to be present in those situations inside the box, and he was there today — that's what I ask of a No. 9."
"We have a big goal for this season, but everything depends on how we work every day," Flick added. "The most important thing is the players' effort, their mentality, and the team's dynamic. Playing together, in unity, is what matters most."
Flick was also asked about Marcus Rashford, whose loan spell from Manchester United is not being made permanent. "His situation wasn't easy, and sometimes loan deals don't turn into permanent transfers," the coach said. "We'll miss him, but we have to accept it. It was a pleasure to work with him — a great player and a great person."
There was a warmer note on the club's confirmed summer arrivals. Anthony Gordon, signed from Newcastle United for an initial €70 million, and Karim Adeyemi, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for around €22 million, both featured against Birmingham. "Anthony has shown how excited he is to be at Barcelona, and I'm very happy he's part of the squad," Flick said, while noting Adeyemi was still finding his feet after only a week of training.
With Ferran Torres also expected to carry over last season's form, Flick's message as preseason continues was one of patience over panic: build with what is already there, and let the transfer market sort itself out.
