Hansi Flick confirms new signing Rodri won't be involved in LaLiga opener

[p]The former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] midfielder may, however, be able to take part in their second match, against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ath-bilbao/IP5zl0cJ/"]Athletic Bilbao[/a], on Thursday.[/p][p][b]"He's very concentrated, focused, our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team,"[/b] Flick told reporters on Saturday.[/p][p]"This is the plan. He's a fantastic player, a leader, and his personality is very great."[/p][embed guid="4ce9f1f8-a949-460d-b2c4-965cdbbcafab" url="https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2091118192534200550" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barca[/a] signed the Spanish World Cup winner for a fee which could rise to 76.5 million euros ($89 million) to bolster their midfield.[/p][p]However after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lewandowski-robert/MVC8zHZD/"]Robert Lewandowski[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/torres-ferran/AVAVLaLt/"]Ferran Torres[/a] departed, the club are still looking for a striker in the transfer market.[/p][p]Flick did not reveal who would start up front at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/elche/4jl02tPF/"]Elche[/a] but praised the pre-season form of Egyptian youngster [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/abdelkarim-hamza/jPwJgdF6/"]Hamza Abdelkarim[/a], after the 18-year-old notched four goals in friendlies.[/p][p][b]"Hamza is having a really great pre-season," [/b]said Flick.[/p][p]"He's a number nine, he's young, and he has a lot of potential, and also he scored goals. This is the important thing when you're playing in this position, and he made a great job."[/p][p]New arrivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gordon-anthony/EFo95m2P/"]Anthony Gordon[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adeyemi-karim/GvIzwgo8/"]Karim Adeyemi[/a], both wingers, can also play through the middle as false nines along with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/raphinha/xtBsDPam/"]Raphinha[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olmo-dani/2oVBOlPg/"]Dani Olmo[/a].[/p][p]Flick said full-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cancelo-joao/dAyeWYpm/"]Joao Cancelo[/a], signed this week, was available for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/barcelona-SKbpVP5K/elche-4jl02tPF/?mid=Gfdoa7xn"]Barcelona's trip to the Martinez Valero stadium[/a].[/p][p][b]"He's ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion," [/b]added Flick.[/p]