Karim Adeyemi has been announced as a new Barcelona signing from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €29 million, which includes €7m in variables. Earlier in the window, Barcelona announced the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
The two new Barcelona signings, who press relentlessly and prefer a direct style of play, hint at what Hansi Flick is planning for the new season.
Anthony Gordon is already in Barcelona and will join the squad after his vacation. The former Magpie was part of the England squad that won the bronze medal in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Individually, Anthony Gordon had a good World Cup, providing three assists and a goal in the knockouts. It was his goal that gave England the lead in the semi-final against Argentina.
What Gordon Provides Them
Anthony Gordon would provide Hansi Flick with an attacking outlet from the left flank.
The left wing position had been a problem for Barcelona ever since Neymar’s exit, but recently, Raphinha has done really well there under Hansi Flick. Now, with Raphinha suffering recurring muscle injuries, that position needs filling again.
Gordon would allow Barcelona to press with the same intensity as Raphinha did. Flick’s system and his attacking approach would really complement Gordon’s direct style of play and good decision-making in the final third. This new Barcelona signing looks tailor-made for the role.
The Marcus Rashford Alternative
The major argument against Gordon’s signing is his price tag. Many pundits and fans argue that Barcelona missed a trick here.
They point out that Marcus Rashford was available for €30m, and he had already proved himself at Barcelona with 26 goals and assists last season. Yet, Barcelona paid €80m for Anthony Gordon.
But there is more to that. They miss the fact that Hansi Flick did not trust Marcus Rashford. At Barcelona, he was benched in every big game where they needed relentless pressing up front, even with Raphinha injured, and preferred others to him.
Flick’s system is designed in a way that it maximises the output of the attackers. As an attacker, you are bound to have good attacking numbers. This is evident if you compare the attacking returns of Barcelona’s attackers before and after Hansi Flick joined.
But for Flick’s system to thrive, it needs players who are ready to press the opposition high up the pitch and suffocate them. This is what Rashford did not provide during his loan spell, but Gordon promises to.
New Barcelona Signing: What Adeyemi Brings
Karim Adeyemi is a player with a similar profile to Gordon in terms of pressing. He possesses great speed and has the ability to run in behind.
Barcelona already have players like Pedri and Lamine Yamal who are good on the ball and can find a teammate anywhere on the pitch. This is why having a player who can run in behind using his speed and intelligence is necessary and gives an additional dimension to Barcelona’s attack.
This new Barcelona signing adds a dimension the squad lacked.
Adeyemi promises great potential, but he has been unable to unleash it so far, for various reasons.
He has suffered muscle injuries from time to time that have hampered his development. In his four seasons at Signal Iduna Park, he missed 51 games due to injuries. Off-field controversies have also remained a part of his life at Dortmund. The recent “mystery box” incident also raised many questions about the player’s commitment to football.
Barcelona will provide Adeyemi with an opportunity and ideal conditions to focus on football and regain his confidence.
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Final Verdict
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez are coming into the new season with injuries. Both of these players initiate Barcelona’s high press and are the driving force behind it.
Gordon and Adeyemi bring the same pressing profile. Joan Laporta and Deco have bet on these two new Barcelona signings to take advantage of Hansi Flick‘s attacking system and succeed at Camp Nou.
Gordon seems quite ready for this opportunity within Flick’s system. Adeyemi, on the other hand, has all the tools to thrive if he can stay fit and stay out of his own way for long enough, and if he does, this new Barcelona signing could be the steal of the window.
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