Eric Garcia to Barcelona

[FCBarca]

I believe he is Swiss. So, raclette or rösti might be more appropriate than paella. :-)

Raclette is my favorite! Rösti is more in the German cantons but I enjoy that as well

 

[philjoneswho?]

No one bigger than the club. Solid young player with bags of potential. Happy if we get close to Torres money for him (Minus add one) given the amount of first team football he’s had. Seems like a smart young man and good luck to him.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

Not really no, he's a good prospect, but is he a better prospect or as suited to the premier league as Harwood Bellis I don't think he is. Might give Harwood Bellis and Tosin more room to develop.

I agree. Harwood-Bellis is our future.

Garcia is an intelligent player but his limitations physically will always be a weakness in the PL.

THB is like a young John Terry and blue through and through.

 

[ganganvince]

Don't be silly. He was of course good enough.

Pep was playing him ahead of Stones and Otamendi. The club offered him a good contract. They wouldn't have done that if they thought he wasn't good enough.

Barca clearly think he's good enough.

As does Pep really believe we are seeing the end of the Pep era hope his successor has been sorted.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Don't think size is as important to Pep. Isn't Ake only 5'11?

Pep said he and the club wanted to keep him, it's a shame he didn't want to stay.

Not now going to pretend he isn't good enough.

But I think he's shite, has no right to have been fast tracked compared to other young players & have been biting my lip, with only mild critcism, for a long time.

Can't I let loose now I can sleep nights knowing he won't be appearing at Anfield etc next season ?

 

[argyle]

I agree. Harwood-Bellis is our future.

Garcia is an intelligent player but his limitations physically will always be a weakness in the PL.

THB is like a young John Terry and blue through and through.

Until we see him have a run of games we don't really know what THB is like. Hope you are right though.

 

[better dead than red]

Raclette is my favorite! Rösti is more in the German cantons but I enjoy that as well

Raclette is a favourite of mine as well!

 

[skyblues]

How long do you keep waiting for Stones to 'sort his head out'. It really is in everyones best interests if Stones moves on.

Definitely. If Stones wasn’t english people would have wanted him gone long ago. So tired of the whole ’sort his head out’. It’s not the clubs fkng responsibility. He’s had four years to convince Pep he is the partner to count on for Laporte. This Aké signing suggests he doesn’t trust Stones anymore. Stones had one good season, that’s it. The rest of the time we’ve only waited for his injuries to disappear and for him to get his head right. He’s been great at times but he’s also been responsible for many many mistakes. I want him gone at all cost.

 

[WestGorton]

Don't think size is as important to Pep. Isn't Ake only 5'11?

Pep said he and the club wanted to keep him, it's a shame he didn't want to stay.

Not now going to pretend he isn't good enough.

He isn't good enough from what I saw so won't lose any sleep over his decision.

 

[Neville Kneville]

How long do you keep waiting for Stones to 'sort his head out'. It really is in everyones best interests if Stones moves on.

Otamendi has the best chance of staying, he knows what Pep wants and is out of contract next year anyway. Unless Txiki can work some magic we will struggle to move Otamendi on so we may as well keep him. Unfortunately maybe loan out Tosin for another season or sell him as well.

Koulibaily and Otamendi as your two options at RCB is fine.

They will know, one way or the other, if Stones merits another go. But if he does, please let it be as 4th choice.

 

[MichaelFrontzeck'sBathroom]

Except he's an absolute fanny who is hurt half the time and a complete liability the rest of the time. At least he ticks a homegrown box though

Before his bad injury he was top class, not really his fault he got injured which clearly shook his confidence. Up to Pep now to see what happens with him

 

[Coatigan]

It's pretty simple, if not sad, the sporting direction under this board is an abomination - particularly in terms of La Masia, it has been decimated over the past decade. Eric leaving was my 2nd most disappointing cantera loss, the first being Grimaldo

I can't envision the cost being more than 10M, nor should it be considering he was developed primarily at Barca

Certainly should be more than 10m.

Or year of waiting.

 

[vincent]

In 9 years here I have never crowed about anything, it's simply not how I am wired. I am thrilled for his pending return but I do not take any additional enjoyment because some of you have been wrong about this

Far from convinced he is top draw but good luck to him...Going to be interesting watching Barca over the coming years as Messi’s influence starts to dwindle. It’s like a ticking time bomb at Barca as you have relied on him (and rightly so) so much.

 

[blueparrot]

As does Pep really believe we are seeing the end of the Pep era hope his successor has been sorted.

Don't know how you make that jump. would be very surprised if he doesn't do 2 more years, think signing players like Torres indicates that more than Garcia going back to Barcelona.

 

[FCBarca]

Raclette is a favourite of mine as well!

Traditionally you add ground pepper but I prefer the Valaisan style with Viande séchée and some paprika - cornichons nearby

Damn, cannot wait to have it again soon

 

[Gabriel]

Sandler is a championship CB at best

We’ll see. I’d at least be prepared to extend a chance to lads who actually want to commit to the club.

 

[cjn]

That one of our brightest young prospects wants to leave?

Pep thought he was good enough at aged 19 to play ahead of Stones and Otamendi.

I was just being facetious, I'm a big fan of Eric Garcia. In all seriousness, I think he's an extremely talented prospect (which is why Barcelona want to buy him), but it's not the biggest deal in the world to lose him. I was mush less concerned about his physicality than most, but it is a concern long-term, and we have multiple other extremely talented prospects who play in his position who might be a better fit for the league anyway. If we get 20m or so for him it's good business.

 

[pudge]

I await the coverage of this being how we lose kids because we don't give them a chance...

Whereas he did his chance but has just decided to go elsewhere.

So whilst it won't stop people from knocking us and our youth plan it's not a bad advertisement at all. He broke through, was a first team player and has gotten a move to Barcelona.

Whilst I don't agree with his decision it's not painted us in a bad light.

Although I can already name the usual suspects even on here that will cry and moan and already have the u14s CBs in the squad next season...

 

[asahartford1]

So how does it work? He becomes automatic first choice due to being Barca bound? So he's the best possible player he can be when he goes to Barca for about the 5mil training fee?

he has said he doesnt want to stay, there is only one club he wants to go to, he will go there. we will get a smallish transfer fee 10 million, risin to 20 million.
barcelona will be taking a punt on a player with promise, but unproven, it is not one of the more complicated scenarios.

 

[doobyedoobye]

Pep and co really need to focus on the local lads. They need more chances