Young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim don make im name hot for Barcelona pre-season. Di 18-year-old boy wey dem dey call “new Haaland” don score three goals for five friendly matches, including one for di big win against Basel wey end 5-2.
For di Basel game, Abdelkarim come in for second half, replace Anthony Gordon, and within three minutes im don score. Na same pattern wey im show for Birmingham match where im score two goals. After di Basel match, im talk say scoring with Barcelona shirt na different feeling.
Coach Hansi Flick don praise am well well. Im talk say Hamza very humble, get great personality, and im dey give everything. Flick add say na im style to always dey inside box, and di striker do exactly wetin im expect.
Abdelkarim join Barcelona from Al Ahly. Im first dey play for under-19 team on loan for last season, before Barcelona sign am permanently dis summer for €1.5 million. E be like say im don quick settle for Europe.
Dem compare am to Erling Haaland since im youth team days. Im teammates even dey sing Haaland song for am. Coach Pol Planas and im assistants show am video of Haaland and Victor Osimhen to help am improve im movement.
German paper Bild report say Barcelona still dey try to sign Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, and agreement fit happen before September 1. But if dat one fail, Abdelkarim go get real chance to dey di plans of Flick.
Dis opportunity dey because na so Ferran Torres don go join Paris Saint-Germain, and Robert Lewandowski don also comot. So no experienced striker remain for di squad, and na Abdelkarim dey benefit from am.
Barcelona official X account don post im picture with caption say “Hamza get inborn goal instinct. Plenty goals dey ahead.” Dis kind confidence from club show say dem dey trust di young boy.
Flick still talk say dem dey focus on players wey dem get now. Im no dey think about other things. Dat one fit be sign say im ready to give young talent chance.
Next test go be for Joan Gamper Trophy, where Barcelona go face im old club Al Ahly at Camp Nou next Wednesday. Abdelkarim go get chance to show again why dem dey call am di future of Barcelona attack.
