Eric Garcia to Barcelona

[Neville Kneville]

And Ferna.....Genuine question, would he of played as much if we’d had a season like the previous two? Covid & the mainly dead rubber nature of our league games gave him a great platform, not to mention some easy-ish fixtures, fwiw I thought him being in the side affected Walker who looked like he didn’t quite trust him, Arteta certainly knew where to target in the semi

Walker was watching him rather than Aubamayang when he scored. Laporte was running around like Otamendi, trying to cover for him.

 

[kaz7]

Shit timing,he could have waited till after we had played tomorrow,bad form that

 

[RayCTID]

Both got the have got the height and physicality but are both Adarabioyo and Harwood Bellis are really comfortable on the ball?

 

[Kokonut1307]

Not going to be bitter. Had high hopes for him but playing for your boyhood club and getting your dream come true is understandable. Good luck to him.

 

[CWMCFC]

Who would be a good 4th choice if we sign Koulibaly?

People talk alot about Tosin but nothing suggests he has Garcias quality.

Fernandinho most likely, if we are definitely set on selling both Stones and Otamendi this window.

 

[willipp]

Oh well, that pissed on my chips.

 

[HaalandEffect]

It might be made easier now that Foden is established in the team. It would also help if he was soon joined by others, say Adarabioyo and Harwood-Bellis competing all season for the fourth spot.

Laporte, Ake, new, Fernandinho (for Otamendi), Tosin Adarabioyo (For John Stones) and Talor Harwood-Bellis for defense spots.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

Before the arsenal game I’d have been upset.

After seeing him completely exposed as to having zero pace, I’m not bothered. No pace, no height and not strong.

yes, he could be a very intelligent player, but he’s missing two attributes for me where one may be excusable but both are not.

 

[asahartford1]

He should have been having that run in the dead games we have just played imo, rather than the Spanish Steve Redmond.

No time time now, with no pre season.

surely your protege adadabrioyla will step up ?

 

[01cravend]

Who would be a good 4th choice if we sign Koulibaly?

People talk alot about Tosin but nothing suggests he has Garcias quality.

Tosin is faster, miles better in the air, better defensively. Also he's actually a pretty good passer, particularly at pinging those line/press breakers.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Then to the bench you go, young man.

Give everyone a covid fist bump & keep walking 10 rows further back

 

[asahartford1]

It's a shame - but it was inevitable he'd end up going back to the Club he supports, in the City he was born and grew up in, at some point.

Honestly, it's better for us that it happened now, when he's a promising but still relatively peripheral member of our squad, than in 2/3 years when he could have been a regular starter.

I get that he's jumping at the chance to rejoing Barca - it's his Club - and I get that @FCBarca is more excited by seeing EG in the first team over there than Lenglet or Umtiti or any of their current CBs. I'd be exactly the same if a City fan was returing to our club to take his rightful spot in the first team aftre a period of development elsewhere.

I posted a while back that I'm not nearly as bothered by this as I thought I'd be, and I remain so. It would genuinely mean so much more to me if Harwood-Bellis or Tosin were given the chances Eric was going to be given next year, and made a success of it. Two local lads and City fans who've come through our Academy since they were kids, and who genuinely love the Club.

Just like @FCBarca is more excited by Eric - I'm more excited by the prospect of those two being given a chance.

There was plenty of noise around the Academy that Harwood-Bellis was felt to have a higher ceiling than Garcia, although younger and a few steps behind him at the moment.

If this works out that he gets his break this year in place of Eric, I genuinely feel that would be for the best for City.

I wish Eric the best - he's always been respectful to the Club, so I hope this works out for him as he dreams it will!

excellent response, no mard arse in you

 

[leewill31]

Looks like he may be gone this transfer window rather than sit his last year with us surly?

 

[Tb1981]

Not that arsed
He won’t get in the team with koulibaly, ake and Laporte
If we get £10m I’d be happy
Good prospect but we need proven class

 

[Neville Kneville]

surely your protege adadabrioyla will step up ?

No idea.

More deserving of games than Garcia but he was terrible at WBA.

Edit: when I say 'terrible' still miles better defensively than Garcia, but no idea how to play football.

 

[yankblue]

I like Garcia, and hope he stays. That being said I don't think it's the end of the world if he does go.

But if Barca is going to fuck around and offer 10m or some paltry fee, we shouldn't even engage. I'd rather let him run down his contract and leave for free in a year or two if that's the case. Make them wait.

 

[Jack74]

Thank FUCK for that.

Farewell Redmondo.

Made me chuckle

 

[Gabriel]

Laporte, Ake, new, Fernandinho (for Otamendi), Tosin Adarabioyo (For John Stones) and Talor Harwood-Bellis for defense spots.

As long as the new is Koulibaly, I’d be happy with that. I’d also like to see Sandler given an opportunity as well; people too readily dismiss him, but the club and Kompany recognise his potential.

If Koulibaly is signed, then Adarabioyo could learn a great deal from understudying him.

 

[skyblues]

I like Garcia, and hope he stays

Que?

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

No idea.

More deserving of games than Garcia but he was terrible at WBA.

To be fair, he was played at right back most of the time at WBA - where he was admittedly shite - but that's clearly not his best position.

Garcia was absolutely crap when he played at right back the other day, and Barca are about to buy him as a starting CB.

When Tosin has been played where he's supposed to be on the pitch, he's been very good. May not be good enough for our first team, but like you I'd be happier finding out than giving the opportunities to Garcia.