Barca can bet on Flick to get the most out of Rashford

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If the Marcus Rashford deal closes with Manchester United, Barcelona will have pulled off a very good bit of business.

Better than Luis Díaz, because of what they would have had to give up, and a good short-term alternative to the Nico Williams proposition.

Just what Hansi Flick and Barcelona need at the moment. A versatile player with proven quality who can provide depth at every position on the forward line.

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In the end, the green light was given by Flick, who knows who he needs to make this system

work. In Rashford, he gets an athletic winger, who can also play through the middle, with the ability to run at and behind defenders.

Assuming that Rashford is motivated to work hard and prove he belongs at Barcelona, he has the physical qualities to help with the pressing system as well. Flick and Rashford, from a tactical point of view, appear to be tailor made for one another.

The question will be whether this is a one and done situation, akin to João Félix and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang loan deals, or if Rashford can really rise to the occasion to stake a claim for the long term.

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In a World Cup year, everyone on the Barcelona roster will be fighting to prove their individual worth. Such an environment, in a new country away from the pressure of the British press, could bring out the best in the Englishman.

One thing you can’t doubt is Flick’s ability to get the most out of his forwards. Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres, all made big improvements in their outputs last season, and came together to make Barcelona one of the best teams in the world again.

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In this team, although there will be fierce internal competition, I’d rather be a forward than a midfielder, where there are potentially four spots up for grabs in the formation. Rashford has a real opportunity here, and it’s up to him to seize it knowing it’s a once in a lifetime career opportunity.

It will be interesting to see where Flick’s mind is at with the addition of Rashford.

For sure, he will be available to provide backup to Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on the wing. But could there be a scenario where all three feature at the same time? With Rashford as the center forward perhaps, or with Raphinha moving to the ten?

What Flick will love are the options he is now granted.

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Over the course of a long season, having a player of Rashford’s quality on board will be a blessing. It’s hard to say now how he will fit in, but it seems certain he’ll have a big role on this team.

Job well done by Barcelona. Even better considering the timing.

The preseason tour should be filled with intrigue as we see players fight for a place on an exciting team with high expectations.

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