@simon23 No logic in comparing Garcia's situation to that of the GOAT anymore than there is comparing him to Dias - one has little to do with the other
I would've preferred getting Eric in August, for a reasonable fee...but that didn't happen. I had very little expectation that a reasonable fee would be agreed upon for his arrival in Jan so clearly the alternative was coming for free. I feel for the player more than anyone else, the depth at Barca is fine atm as it is at City
Even if he were to hypothetically get an injury, he's still a cantera player that would be returning for free - just with a recovery period
Revisionism as well to suggest it is weak minded on his part to return to his home club when the coach & City prioritized him & his extension - he simply balked. 3=4 years ago he was 16 Captaining Juvenil A, he was not about to play in the 1st team. He left like many La Masia players have during the tenure of Rosell & Bartomeu because they were deprioritized and the path to the 1st team was unclear. And as I have already said before, few understand these nuances better than Pep & Txiki
So you say, no one apart from Pep or Barca would want the player - odd then why it evokes so much anger from Blues. Why not take what you can for someone so poor and surplus to needs? Ask yourself that question, see if you can come up with an honest answer
And as I have said, almost verbatim was said about Pique 12=13 seasons ago when at United. Plus, looking at the cantera players that are flourishing atm given a chance at Barca, it only reinforces the philosophy that has been ignored for too long - trust in La Masia, which is why I have always hoped for Eric's return. I simply did not think it would happen so soon
True, Barca could lose out on millions with Messi leaving in July although I would say his value is priceless. Still, he has given quite a bit from that investment and no cule could be bitter were he to leave on a free after all his contributions over 21 seasons. Has Garcia given enough to justify forfeiting 15-18M, if not pay 1.5M to develop him over 3 seasons? That's a fair question as well
Most of this is naive rubbish but Re your
comment above ie:
So you say, no one apart from Pep or Barca would want the player - odd then why it evokes so much anger from Blues.
As I’ve said elsewhere, we just like using Garcia situation to rub in what a shit situation Barca are in. We won’t miss Garcia; don’t want to keep him and love winding you up because us getting rid of Garcia is nothing to us Blues but you losing Messi for nothing owing to the mismanagement at your club, is catastrophic