According to Diario Sport, Barcelona currently lacks a true center forward, and Flick still hopes to sign Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid's stance is firm.
There has been much discussion about whether Yamal will eventually become the team's center forward, playing as a "false 9" like Messi. Messi later moved in from the wing to become a historic striker. Yamal, from Rocafontaine, is currently more accustomed to the right winger position. Flick previously stated publicly that he initially only saw him as a winger, but in early August this year, he admitted that the Rocafontaine youngster "is a very good, world-class player, and therefore can adapt to other positions."
Footage released by Barcelona from a training match shows Yamal scoring a goal from the center forward position: he first completed a one-two with a teammate, then controlled the ball with his right foot before calmly slotting it home with his signature left foot. Anthony Gordon is positioned on the left wing, and Karim Adyemi on the right. This attacking trident is likely to make its La Liga debut at Elche.
Gordon and Adeyemi's choice
In fact, both the English player and the German player are familiar with the center-forward position, having played there for Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund respectively. While, like Yamal, they perform best on the wings, Flick recently noted in a press conference: "Gordon and Adyemi can play on both wings and as a center-forward, so we actually have many options."
Yamal returned from vacation after winning the title in January and rejoined the team this Wednesday. Therefore, Flick may give him some playing time in the Basel friendly if needed. He may appear as a false 9, a position he has been practicing in recent training sessions.
Anthony Gordon and Karim Adyemi have been training for several days, with the German player training longer because he did not participate in the World Cup, a controversial decision by former coach Julian Nagelsmann.
However, Flick's idea remained unchanged: he still wanted a proper and outstanding center forward in the team. If possible, that person would be Alvarez. "The Spider" was his top choice because of his outstanding pressing and running abilities, as well as the other qualities a center forward should possess.
