Let’s get one thing out of the way. Nico Williams is coming to Barcelona.
There’s nothing Athletic Club can do about it if Barcelona, as expected, makes the necessary moves to operate within the 1:1 rule. It’s embarrassing that the pride of the Basque Country would even make such a threat. Joan Laporta, nonetheless, has some serious work on his hands over the next few weeks to prevent drama from ensuing.
It seems that the addition of Nico and Joan Garcia would complete the market aspirations for Barca this summer. The question will be which big name, if any, departs.
FC Barcelona v Athletic Club - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
One thing that seems certain is that Barcelona will be gaining forward depth, and that likely, they will sacrifice a center back to make it happen.
That means Hansi Flick will have to figure out how Nico Williams fits in alongside Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres.
This could be Lewandowski’s swan song at Barcelona, and with it, the beginning of the end of a legendary career. The Polish international turns 37 in August, and likely won’t be in the club’s plans past this season. Of course, if he puts up another Pichichi level campaign, the narrative could change.
But if all goes according to plan, the future of Barcelona’s attack will consist of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and the new additions of Dani Olmo and Raphinha.
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images
The question is whether there’s a formula where all four can play together. Because if not, the Blaugrana may soon be in the market for a new number nine.
To start the season, I’d expect it to be Robert Lewandowski’s starting spot to lose. I’d also expect Flick to continue holding him to the highest standards. And that means scoring lots of goals.
The alternative would be for Barcelona to go younger, and see if they get more energy, physicality, and dynamism from using Dani Olmo or Ferran Torres in the center forward role.
That would also depend on what Flick decides to do with Raphinha and Nico. Lamine Yamal, on the right wing, seems to be the only player whose position is safe.
Athletic Club v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Why fix something that isn’t broken? Play Raphinha on the left, Dani Olmo in the 10, and Lewandowski up front, and just like last season, you should be good to go.
But what if you put Nico on the left wing? The big experiment may be to see what happens when you move Raphinha to the middle, and Olmo up top. If it works well, it’s a very different team compared to the one who had so much success last season.
One reason why I think it could work is because Raphinha thrives when you give him freedom to roam as he reads the game.
FC Barcelona v Villarreal - LaLiga EA Sports Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Nico has a classic, more disciplined, winger profile. Although it must be said that he can play on either side well, and even has some experience playing through the middle.
What’s funny is that Dani Olmo seems to have become Barcelona’s utility man. He really did arrive in Catalonia as a winger, but it looks like, under Flick, we aren’t likely to see him there.
It seems certain that, if Nico arrives, Flick’s team will be a very direct attacking team. For all the criticism of the Barca of old as a team who relied too much on midfielders maintaining possession, and not taking enough risks going forward, those days are gone.
It would signal that Pedri, indeed, will continue to feature in the double pivot, with the responsibility of orchestrating attacks from the back.
It would also signal that the super high defensive line is going nowhere.
This would continue to be a thrilling team to watch. A doubling down on what they started twelve months ago.
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
But it also depends on getting the formula right up front, because they will have to be even more dangerous and effective in the final third.
Does Nico Williams bring with him a revolution of the forward line, or simply more depth on the wing?
That’s one of the big questions that Hansi Flick will have to answer.