Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick says he is not surprised by Raphinha’s outstanding start to the La Liga campaign after the Brazilian scored five goals and provided one assist in his first three matches as a centre-forward.
The 29-year-old, usually regarded as a winger, has been selected through the middle for Barcelona’s opening three league games. His return of six goal contributions has immediately made his deployment as a striker one of the early talking points around the club.
Flick, however, does not view Raphinha’s form in the role as unexpected. The German manager has responded to the forward’s performances by making clear that the Brazilian’s success in a central position has not caught him off guard.
Raphinha’s scoring record is the most significant feature of Barcelona’s start to the season outlined in the report. Across the three La Liga games in which he has begun as a centre-forward, he has found the net five times and created another goal for a team-mate.
That production has come despite Raphinha being a winger by position. His use as the central attacking option has therefore provided Barcelona with an effective alternative in the early part of the campaign, while also placing greater focus on his individual contribution in front of goal.
The arrangement is not expected to remain the club’s only option for long. Barcelona are set to strengthen their forward line with the arrival of a recognised striker, with the transfer of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal already agreed.
Jesus is due to join the Blaugrana in the near future, meaning Barcelona will soon have a specialist centre-forward available alongside the players already being used in attack. His expected arrival provides further context to Raphinha’s current role, but does not alter Flick’s assessment of the Brazilian’s performances.
For now, Raphinha has taken advantage of his opportunities in the middle of the attack. Five goals and one assist from three starts have made his switch from the wing a productive one, while Flick’s comments indicate that the manager considers such output consistent with what Raphinha can deliver.
The imminent addition of Gabriel Jesus will give Barcelona a dedicated option for the position, but the Brazilian winger has already made a strong impression while operating there. Flick’s reaction is that the numbers represent confirmation rather than a surprise.
Barcelona’s next phase will therefore include both Raphinha’s successful spell as a centre-forward and the arrival of Jesus from Arsenal. The club has agreed the transfer, and the specialist forward is expected to join the squad soon.