Mundo Deportivo claims that the German coach, who is incensed about his team’s lack of effort and pressing, has spent the international break analyzing every aspect of the game. While Barcelona was outworked against Sevilla, they were intimidated by the French champions’ strength and accuracy against PSG. His audacious solution is to reimagine Rashford as Barcelona’s center-forward.

Rashford leads the assault in Flick’s plan, with Raphinha to the left, Lamine Yamal to the right, and Fermín Lopez to the rear. However, all three of them have been recovering from injuries, and when the new method is implemented will depend on how well they are. The manager is already considering Barcelona’s upcoming games as a trial run. First up might be Girona at Montjuic on October 18, followed by a pivotal Champions League matchup with Olympiacos on the 21st. The main test, El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, will take place a week later, if everything goes according to plan.

It has long been Flick’s intention to deploy Rashford as a No. 9. Rashford seemed like a man reborn during preseason, scoring in a 5-0 friendly thumping of Daegu FC and winning Flick over with his energy and mobility. He took Lewandowski’s position in that game and was instructed to lead the line in the second half. Flick has been motivated to try new things again in the midst of the campaign because the forward did not let him down.

“He can play at No.9 or No.11,” said Flick. “We changed it because we had to be careful with Ferran. We wanted to see how he adapted to the position.”

Rashford has consistently stated that he scores the majority of his goals throughout his career by cutting inside onto his right foot from the left flank. Flick, on the other hand, sees a strong runner who can stretch the backline, press defenders, and finish calmly. The manager thinks that with Rashford up front, Barcelona can regain the fierce intensity that propelled them to a domestic treble the previous season, as their current lack of pushing has cost them dearly.

The tactical shift will aligns with the club’s broader vision. Sporting director Deco has made it clear that Barcelona won’t chase a big-name striker to replace Robert Lewandowski, who turned 37 this year and still has a contract until 2026. With rumours linking Barca to Erling Haaland and Serhou Guirassy, Deco’s stance suggests Flick’s new approach is part of a long-term evolution rather than a stopgap fix.

“We shouldn’t be obsessed with signing a number 9,” he said. “Perhaps you can do without one. This isn’t the time to talk about signings. Ferran (Torres) can play as a 9. PSG won the Champions League without a penalty-area player. Talking about a ‘9’ is a bit of a mistake, although there are good players.”

The Polish icon is being gradually removed from a full-time position. This season, he has alternated starts with Torres. Flick is prepared to provide youth and speed to the front line while yet preserving his experience. Rashford, who mixes Premier League explosiveness with Champions League credentials, is the ideal match in this situation. He might succeed Lewandowski as the long-term heir if the experiment is successful.

Rashford’s adaptability is now the center of attention. He might start against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, a chance to silence skeptics and establish himself as Barcelona’s next star striker, if he performs well against Girona and Olympiacos. He was marginalized a few months ago. He’s about to become the man who Hansi Flick bases Barcelona around. The Nou Camp supporters may soon have a new anthem to sing—not for Lewandowski, but for Rashford, the Englishman who moved to Spain and rediscovers himself—if the experiment is successful.