Barcelona boss Flick backs ‘eager’ Gordon however talks up Rashford: ‘I am going to miss him’

Hansi Flick says he’ll “miss” Marcus Rashford after sending the on-loan ahead again to Manchester United and signing Anthony Gordon to switch the England worldwide.

Rashford helped Barca win La Liga final season, contributing 14 objectives and 11 assists in 49 appearances earlier than the Spanish aspect determined towards paying a charge of round £30 million to maintain him completely.

“I actually recognize having labored with him,” stated Flick (by way of Marca), who purchased Three Lions winger Gordon for £69.3m from Newcastle in Might.

“Loans don’t all the time result in everlasting transfers. I’m grateful for his work. I’ll miss him. However Anthony Gordon has arrived and he’s very eager to begin working with us.”

Barcelona signings: Flick ‘pleased with the crew’

Karim Adeyemi made his non-competitive Barca debut by enjoying the primary 45 minutes of their first pre-season pleasant at English second-tier membership Birmingham Metropolis on Friday.

The Germany ahead arrived for £18.8m from Borussia Dortmund this month however was overshadowed by 18-year-old Egypt worldwide Hamza Abdelkarim, who scored twice in Barca’s 2-2 draw earlier than they had been crushed 3-2 on penalties.

“He has a variety of potential however he has issues to enhance,” Flick stated of 24-year-old Adeyemi. “He’s solely had every week of coaching. He may give us lots.

“[Abdelkarim’s] very humble, has an excellent character and a variety of potential. He’s a striker and is well-positioned within the field. He’s very conscious of the realm, which is what I ask of a quantity 9.”

Flick was non-committal when he was requested in regards to the prospect of Barca signing a striker. “I’m centered on the crew I’ve,” he replied.

“I don’t speak about those that aren’t right here. Now we have large objectives this season, as all the time, and I’m pleased with the crew.

“What’s necessary is the crew, the mentality, the perspective.”

Birmingham Metropolis vs Barcelona

Abdelkarim initially equalised by changing a Forty first-minute penalty after being fouled by Christoph Klarer.

Birmingham had taken the lead within the thirty first minute when August Priske headed in Alex Cochrane’s cross however Abdelkarim turned the scoreline round quarter-hour after half-time, sweeping in from shut vary when goalkeeper James Beadle spilled Roony Bardghji’s long-range effort.

Barcelona’s second purpose was a deserved one on the steadiness of play and Birmingham, who’re co-owned by NFL icon Tom Brady, responded admirably to regain management and equalise by means of new £6 million signing Jhon Solis’ end from Christoph Klarer’s header.

Cochrane went closest to a winner by arrowing a drive towards the highest of the crossbar earlier than Jack Robinson cleared Alex Gonzalez’s shot off the road through the closing levels.

Beadle made an excellent double save throughout added time, springing to both aspect of his line to repel strikes by the spectacular Roony Bardghji and Gonzalez, then made two saves in his crew’s 3-2 shootout win.

What’s subsequent for Barcelona?

Barca, who started their pre-season schedule with out their World Cup stars at a sold-out stadium, face a membership in Birmingham’s division after they meet Preston North Finish behind closed doorways on Monday,

Spain gamers and newly-crowned world champions Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Pedri are among the many stars absent from their journey.

Birmingham journey to fellow Championship membership Swansea Metropolis within the EFL Cup first spherical on August 8 (15:00 BST).

Barcelona crew vs Birmingham Metropolis

Alejandro Balde was on the bench because the left-back continued his harm comeback and winger Raphinha has taken half in particular person classes this week following an injury-hit 2025/26 and World Cup with Brazil.

Frenkie de Jong was not concerned however has travelled with Barcelona and labored within the gymnasium because the midfielder continues his restoration from a critical knee harm.

Barcelona beginning XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jofre Torrents, Marc Casado, Ebrima Tunkara, Marc Bernal, Karim Adeyemi, Hamza Abdelkarim, Shane Kluivert

Barcelona substitutes: Hector Fort, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Alvaro Cortes, Guille Fernandez, Brian Farinas, Tommy Marques, Raphinha, Roony Bardghji, Toni Fernandez, Fermin Lopez, Jordi Pesquer, Iker Rodriguez, Ibrahim Diarra, Oscar Gistau, Orian Goren, Aron Yaakobishvili, Alex Gonzalez