Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is preparing a tactical shake-up after back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla exposed his team’s lack of pressing and intensity. His surprising solution? Reinvent Marcus Rashford as Barcelona’s centre-forward.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick has been working on a new blueprint during the international break: Rashford leading the line, with Raphinha on the left, Lamine Yamal on the right, and Fermín López just behind. The timing of the switch will depend on fitness issues within the squad, but Flick is already eyeing fixtures against Girona (Oct 18) and Olympiacos (Oct 21) to test the system. The ultimate proving ground? El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu on October 26.
Rashford has always preferred the left wing, where he can cut inside and shoot with his right foot. But Flick sees something more: a relentless runner capable of stretching defenses, pressing high, and finishing with power.
The idea first took shape during pre-season when Rashford played as a striker in a 5-0 friendly win over Daegu FC, replacing Robert Lewandowski in the second half. His movement and aggression impressed Flick so much that he’s now ready to try it in competitive fixtures.
“He can play at No.9 or No.11,” Flick said. “We wanted to see how he adapted to the position.”
Barcelona’s lack of pressing energy has been a major weakness this season, and Flick believes Rashford’s directness could be the solution.
Sporting director Deco has also backed the tactical shift, hinting that Barcelona won’t chase a superstar striker to replace Lewandowski, who turns 37 this year. Rumors of moves for Erling Haaland and Serhou Guirassy persist, but Deco insists Barca can succeed without a “traditional No.9.”
“We shouldn’t be obsessed with signing a number 9,” Deco explained. “PSG won the Champions League without one. Talking about a 9 is a bit of a mistake, although there are good players.”
This vision lines up perfectly with Flick’s plan: easing Lewandowski into a rotational role while developing Rashford into a new kind of centre-forward—one built on pace, pressing, and Premier League experience.
If Flick’s gamble works, Rashford could go from Manchester United exile to Barcelona’s No.9 heir in under a year—a transformation that speaks volumes about football’s evolving sports market. With superclubs moving away from traditional strikers and leaning into tactical flexibility, Rashford’s reinvention could define the next phase of Barcelona’s rebuild.
For now, all eyes are on October 26, when Rashford may get his first real shot at leading the line in El Clásico. Succeed there, and his story goes from redemption to reinvention.
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