Perhaps Karim Adeyemi’s move to Barcelona would not come as a surprise, even if it would be impossible to snatch the team’s star left-footed right winger Lamine Yamal. In the end, it was Barca coach Hansi Flick who made Adeyemi debut for the German national team.
The hope is that his old coach can spark something new in a player who has shown tremendous potential over the years but has yet to explode. This is Adeyemi’s chance to become the player that Flick and many others have long suspected.
He was a teenager at Red Bull Salzburg when Flick first selected him. But Adeyemi is only 24 years old. If it feels like he’s been around for much longer, it’s because he played almost 100 games for Salzburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Karim Adeyemi officially announced as FC Barcelona’s new player
He had previously been playing for Salzburg’s feeder side Rippering and made his debut at the age of 16. Talking to Adeyemi about this during his time in Dortmund, he thought it was the ideal schooling. “For me, it was the best move I could have made,” he said. sky sports.
He explained: “The most important thing for a young player is to play. They have a second team that plays against adults. I played in the second league when I was 16 and played a lot of games. I adapted to men’s football and that is important for a young player.”
Karim Adeyemi has enjoyed four good years at Borussia Dortmund.
There have been many highlights since then. As one of those lucky enough to be at the Westfalenstadion when they raced to win the Champions League against Chelsea in 2023, it’s fair to say Adeyemi’s pace is impressive.
He recorded a Bundesliga record speed of 36.65 km/h in his debut season. When I spoke to him about whether he was the fastest around, his answer was emphatic. “Yes, I am very confident about that.” Is there anyone close to you? “It might be closer, but it won’t be any faster.”
Although his speed statistics have declined slightly, Adeyemi still ranks as one of the ten fastest players in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons. The bigger problem is that he has not developed beyond the role of an impact player at Dortmund.
Heat map and shot map of Karim Adeyemi during his Bundesliga career with Borussia Dortmund
There was a moment. Adeyemi came on as a substitute to score a stunning goal against Atalanta in the Champions League. He scored off the bench both home and away against Stuttgart. The latter turned out to be his last goal in a Dortmund shirt.
But there were also criticisms. This is especially true when Adeyemi reacted poorly to being substituted against Borussia Mönchengladbach in December. Former Germany international Markus Babel has publicly questioned his thinking.
There are people inside Dortmund who defend him. He is a popular figure with employees past and present. Speaking to former set-piece coach Alex Clapham, he identified Adeyemi as a player he particularly liked. “He’s a really great guy, a really great guy,” he said. sky sports.
“As a coach, he probably taught me more than anyone else because we had to work together in a different way. It probably took me until Christmas of my first season to figure it out.” Adeyemi responded better one-on-one. “It’s about making small talk sometimes.”
It was Hansi Flick who gave Karim Adeyemi his Germany debut in 2021.
Flick will understand that better than anyone. And this is why a move to Barcelona could get more out of the player. This is a coach who has believed in his talent since he was young and has always advocated for him. Good for Adeyemi. But what about Barça?
It may seem awkward considering the size of the club, but expectations may be a little low. In Dortmund, there was disappointment that Adeyemi did not develop into a star player for the team. That is clearly not the mission at Camp Nou.
Barcelona don’t need someone to lead their attack. This is a team that scored 95 goals in La Liga last season, 18 more than Real Madrid. What they need is someone who can make an impact off the bench, cover multiple positions and contribute.
Karim Adeyemi’s minutes by position for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga
“I can play almost any position on the offensive line,” Adeyemi said. sky sports In an interview in 2023. Since then, he has played on both wings and occasionally in the centre. Marcus Rashford did something similar last season. He will certainly have a few minutes.
In fact, his role could be really important for Barcelona. Consider the template set by Paris Saint-Germain. Former Barça player Ousmane Dembele started just 11 games in Ligue 1 last season. He has actually started many games in the Champions League as well.
Perhaps it is easier to emphasize the commitment to Europe in France than in Spain. But compare that to Lamine Yamal, who played 26 games from the start in La Liga last season. That was more than any midfielder or striker in the Barcelona team.
The chance to rest the star man after a World Cup in which he featured for Spain while Adeyemi was left out of the Germany squad is an opportunity Flick should take when and where he can. He will want to be able to do so with minimal disruption.
Flick likes to use speed in wide areas. Barcelona are still playing a possession game underneath him. In fact, they averaged 69% possession in La Liga last season, the highest among the five major European leagues. The same goes for beating Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
But Flick needs to ensure his team can keep up the pace. This helps Barcelona break down teams, giving them control of the ball as well as a counter-attacking threat. Adeyemi fits that style of play well. He is a man who can get things done.
When asked how he views his game, he said, “I think (my job) is to always get on the defenders’ nerves one-on-one or run behind them. Be in a place where the defenders can’t see me. Make assists and score goals. I think that’s my game.”
Adeyemi is now at a turning point in his career. Raphinha was already 25 years old when he moved from Leeds to Barcelona and it changed his perspective on his potential. Adeyemi is younger. With the right coach and the right club, the sky is the limit for him.
