29 - Hamza Abdelkarim

Would have liked to see him make a debut and result certainly allowed it. But we can't complain top much. Flick knows what he's doing.
 
I cannot believe this guy didn't even get minutes. Then we go and score 5. Flick has no reason to give him time after this. That's disappointing because this could have been an easy game to get him going in hindsight.
 
Is he gonna be our plan B? I sure hope not. The kid needs regular game time for his development. I dont know how he can keep warming the bench for long periods and then make any sort of meaningful difference in a match if needed.

With Gabriel Jesus bought, Raphinha still remains our only reliable goal-scorer. The former doesn't bring anything different from what we already have. Nor do we have Araujo to stick him up front. The lack of plan B could become a matter of concern against more compact oppositions this season.
 
Is he gonna be our plan B? I sure hope not. The kid needs regular game time for his development. I dont know how he can keep warming the bench for long periods and then make any sort of meaningful difference in a match if needed.

With Gabriel Jesus bought, Raphinha still remains our only reliable goal-scorer. The former doesn't bring anything different from what we already have. Nor do we have Araujo to stick him up front. The lack of plan B could become a matter of concern against more compact oppositions this season.
Our plan D, he'll get minutes with Atletic.
 
Calma, he'll get a new contract soon.


That is a very low figure for a player who arrived with the reputation of being the preseason's top scorer. Yet there is a compelling reason for this; at this level, there is no such thing as coincidence. Hamza Abdelkarim is on a completely outdated contract—particularly regarding his release clause, which currently stands at €15 million. That is a paltry sum given the financial might of European football, especially that of English clubs. Flick has deliberately kept the player out of the spotlight, acting in perfect alignment—as they do in all matters—with the sporting management team led by Deco. No one wanted to risk him having a breakout performance in competitive matches—like the one he had in the preseason—while the transfer window was still open.

Once the window has closed and things have settled down, the club will be able to proceed with a planned contract improvement—one that had been deferred precisely due to the intense workload during the final days of the transfer market. Barça intends to set a substantial release clause of €150 million—a 900% increase—a figure that will allow the player, should Flick deem it appropriate, to see more first-team action.

There are other variables involved—though none as decisive for keeping him under wraps as the risk of him slipping away. According to 'WinWin', Egypt's Al-Ahly will receive €750,000 once Hamza plays five official matches for the first team, provided he plays at least 45 minutes in each. This figure could rise based on his appearances, reaching a maximum of two million euros. Meanwhile, the Asian club will receive €300,000 once Hamza scores five goals—an amount that could also increase progressively to a maximum of €1.5 million. If all the conditions outlined in the transfer agreement—which includes a fixed fee of €1.5 million—are met, the total could reach five million, bringing the overall figure to €6.5 million. That is a sum that would seem negligible if he lives up to his promise.

In any case, there is complete alignment among the player, his agent Christian Emile, and the club itself; there will be no issues in adjusting his contract—and all that entails—to reflect the new reality Abdelkarim has experienced since the start of the summer. He will remain registered with Barça Atlètic but will continue to train and work with the first team, awaiting an opportunity for Hansi Flick to give him a more prominent role.
 
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