Flick praises Adeyemi and Abdelkarim while keeping Julian Álvarez out of dreams

Germany’s head coach Hansi Flick broke his preseason silence on Friday under the lights of Birmingham’s stadium, lauding the performances of Karim Adeyemi and Hamza Abdelkarim while fielding questions about the prospect of signing Julian Álvarez in the wake of a tough opponent that will open its season with a key Cup match.

Flick noted that reporters asked him about a number of individual names after the game, and he used the opportunity to underline the importance of developing every player in the squad.

Speaking on the recent Barcelona acquisition Karim Adeyemi, Flick conceded that “there are things that are not yet right” and that the striker still has untapped potential. He added that being only the first week of preseason makes such growing pains normal, while praising Adeyemi’s speed and finishing quality.

When the conversation turned to forward Hamza Abdelkarim, Flick described him as a player with great potential, quality and intensity, and called it a pleasure to work with such humble youngsters. He highlighted Abdelkarim’s strong character and mindset, saying the recent display will boost his confidence in the weeks ahead.

Addressing speculation about a marquee signing, Flick was asked whether he dreamed of adding a player like Julian Álvarez. He replied that his focus remains on the current roster, which already boasts considerable quality and youth, and that daily work and teamwork are the keys to achieving the club’s objectives.

Regarding future prospect Ferran Torres, Flick explained he had spoken with the player during the World Cup but respects his vacation time. He reminded that Torres proved his importance last season and remains a target for the club.

Flick also expressed gratitude for the exit of Rashford from FC Barcelona, praising his talent and personality. He welcomed the arrival of Anthony Gordon, saying he felt “on fire” from the first call and is delighted to have him in the squad.

The interview was conducted by journalist Ángel Pérez for BirminghamPere Punti and was updated at 00:02 CEST on 1 August 2026. Flick’s comments also alluded to Birmingham’s upcoming Cup match that will kick off their season.