Who will start as a striker for Barcelona as La Liga title defence begins?

The La Liga season is set to begin soon, and FC Barcelona will face Elche without their top two strikers from last season. Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have both departed the club, leaving an uncertain future for the number nine position. Rumors suggest that Barcelona is actively pursuing new signings, but none have yet to officially join the team.

One local option to watch is Hamza Abdelkarim, a rising star who has been dominant in preseason matches at the center-forward position. He has yet to make his official debut for Barcelona, but his performance has led many to believe he will receive a starting role in the upcoming season. Raphinha, a versatile winger, has also been linked to the position.

Although not a typical striker, his adaptability has seen him play in various roles during pre-season matches. Another potential starter is Anthony Gordon, who has experience playing as a striker in his previous club Newcastle United. Despite his limited time in the position, he managed to score a goal against Barcelona during a match.

Karim Adeyemi, more accustomed to playing on the wings, could also be a candidate for the starting role. Dani Olmo, a former Barca player, might have the opportunity to start after debuting against Atlético de Madrid last season. Youngsters from Barcelona Atlètic, Òscar Gistau and Shane Kluivert, have also had limited playing time in a striking role during pre-season and are unlikely to feature prominently for the first team.

With such a mix of options, it remains to be seen who will be the one to don the No. 9 jersey for Barcelona's opening match of the new season.