Hansi Flick intends to retain Lamine Yamal on the right flank and has no plans to station the teenager in a central false nine role, despite previous experiments in that position. The Barcelona coaching staff favour a gradual approach to any positional evolution, ensuring the winger continues to operate where his dribbling and pace cause maximum damage.
Right-Flank Clarity
The German tactician previously trialled Yamal through the middle during last season’s league encounter against Real Betis, but El País report that such deployments are now firmly off the agenda. The club hierarchy believe Yamal’s technical quality and ability to isolate defenders are best utilised from wide areas, granting him the freedom to cut inside or drive to the byline.
While Yamal himself has acknowledged that he anticipates shifting to a central position eventually, the Catalan outfit see no urgency to accelerate that transition. The current strategy prioritises his development in a familiar role where he has already established himself as one of Europe’s most threatening wide players.
Squad Architecture Supports Wide Role
The recent acquisitions of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, combined with Raphinha’s continued presence, have simplified the tactical equation. The coaching staff believe the physicality and relentless running of these attackers will generate the pockets of space that Yamal exploits so effectively from the right.
This squad construction represents a deliberate effort to build a support structure around Yamal rather than reposition him. The logic dictates that Gordon, Adeyemi and Raphinha will stretch opposition defences horizontally, allowing Yamal to receive the ball in dangerous areas with room to attack.
Alvarez Pursuit Cements Framework
The Catalan club remain in pursuit of Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, viewing the Argentina international as the solution to their No. 9 requirements. Should that transfer materialise, it would further solidify Yamal’s residence on the right flank, with Alvarez occupying the central striking role and removing any necessity to convert the teenager into a false nine.
This combination of new wide arrivals and a potential elite centre-forward would create a balanced attacking unit, allowing each player to operate in their optimal position without compromising Yamal’s explosive strengths.