Flick stresses goal-scoring for Barcelona’s next striker

Flick stresses goal-scoring as key for Barcelona’s new striker

The coach highlighted that the future forward must blend with the team and score consistently

BlaugranaNews EditorialMay 19, 20262 min read

So what

Barcelona faces the challenge of signing a striker with proven scoring efficiency, critical for maintaining the club’s playing philosophy. Upcoming matches will reveal whether new forwards can meet goal expectations. This will affect the team’s attacking stability and success in the 2026/27 season.

Barcelona’s new head coach Hansi Flick has issued a clear message about the qualities needed in the club’s future striker. Following the recent match against Betis, he affirmed that Robert Lewandowski has been the best number 9 of the last two decades. Lewandowski’s goals have been the cornerstone of Flick’s 12 titles with Bayern and Barcelona.

Flick emphasized that the club must find a forward who not only fits well into the team’s style but also reliably scores goals. Given Barcelona’s style centered on control and combination play, finishing efficiency becomes a top priority. The coach was clear: "Everything for a number 9 revolves around scoring goals."

At the same time, Flick implied that the current squad lacks this kind of striker. He pointed to the rejection of Julian Alvarez, who was well connected with teammates but scored only eight league goals. For comparison, Flick noted that consistent goal scorers in Spain among central forwards are rare, mentioning Ferran Torres and Muriqi as exceptions. Reliable goal scorers are scarce on the market and expensive.

Firstly, this presents a major challenge for the sports management team, led by Deco, responsible for transfers. Securing a central striker with consistent scoring output is difficult, considering the scarcity of proven goal scorers and Barcelona’s financial constraints.

Secondly, Flick builds his tactics around a forward capable not just of fitting into the combination play but also carrying the goal-scoring burden. This means the focus should be on players with a proven ability to convert chances, not just creative or technical qualities.

Thirdly, Flick’s experience with Lewandowski shows he relies on having a leading striker as the foundation of the tactical system. Without such a player, the team risks lacking the scoring stability and effectiveness needed for success.

In conclusion, the new season will force Barcelona to carefully plan transfer moves and possibly adjust tactical setups based on whether they acquire a top-level goal scorer. This will directly impact the club’s title ambitions and the preservation of its attacking identity.