Eric Garcia to Barcelona

[andyhinch]

Just by way of comparison, this is how many minutes our central defenders managed in the league last year, playing in those positions:

Garcia 788
Otamendi 1,710
Stones 1,118
Laporte 1,104
Fernandinho 2,200

If we have four central defenders and used those minutes equally, then players would expect around 1,730 minutes each. I know that is unlikely as we'll probably use Koulibaly and Laporte more together in the bigger league matches and CL; Ake and Garcia would probably start in more cup competitions but also feature in league games, too.

The odd one will be Fernandinho. He was the most reliable of the central defenders last year, but I presume he'll be happy to ease himself out into retirement.

By way of comparison, Foden managed 327 league minutes in season 18/19 and 892 league minutes last season, so Garcia is already ahead in that sense. I appreciate that the seasons and circumstances are different.

If Garcia's up for the challenge and wants to stay, then I reckon he may get the game time here over the next 3-4 years. If he simply wants to return home and try his luck there, then Barcelona should pony up.

The problem is I’m not sure they can afford him.

 

[Gabriel]

The problem is I’m not sure they can afford him.

They cannot afford to buy him now (at our asking price) but we won't want to lose him next year for nothing. He has been given plenty of playing time, so if he has no intention of staying beyond next season, then sell him this summer and cut our losses.

If Koulibaly signs, we go with three established central defenders and, say, Fernandinho, Sandler, Adarabioyo, and Harwood-Bellis in reserve.

 

[Dobsy]

MIC Cup 2013 winners with Barca's Alevín A (U12) team - Ansu, Kubo & Capità Garcia pictured

Nice pic. Thanks, interesting to have your perspective on here. I think he will go back to Barca.

Honestly I am surprised by the amount of noise around this and I think a lot of City fans will be too, I hadn't realised the depth of the Barca love in for him.

The fact there's a good offer on the table and he hasn't signed it says it all. He must think there's a chance for Barcelona.

 

[jamesha]

I think that Garcia should look at Brahim Diaz's experience at Madrid.

They courted him relentlessly, gave him a long contract but he has barely played this season (he has had a few injuries to be fair). It is unlikely that he will progress without going out on loan to another club. Garcia may have a similar experience at Barcelona if he moved there whereas, at City, he is getting first team starts over very experienced defenders.

It is interesting that his agent is Carlos Puyol. That should be great for getting advice on how to maximise his potential, play as a "small" defender and develop leadership skills. The downside for us is that Puyol is a Barcelona guy and would probably encourage Eric to move there.

 

[decmancity]

Nice pic. Thanks, interesting to have your perspective on here. I think he will go back to Barca.

Honestly I am surprised by the amount of noise around this and I think a lot of City fans will be too, I hadn't realised the depth of the Barca love in for him.

The fact there's a good offer on the table and he hasn't signed it says it all. He must think there's a chance for Barcelona.

I think he is focused on the job in front of him, he is the starting CB about to go into potentially a week of Cl games. He can worry about the contract after its done.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Why do City wait until a young player is 12 months from leaving for nothing, esp the top young talent. Every other club in the world has a the players under contracts that require a fee, even if they only sign the contract to get their club a fee!

I think this is a done deal, he’s gone and we are haggling over price, because we are going to be made to bend over for a starting world class RCB. For me, he’s at least normally in the Ake price range. Because of the ticking clock, that might end up being €25M with add-ons and a sell on clause. If we sell Stones and Otamendi, that a massive unloading of wages, recouping of fees and the money to bring in the right WC RCB.

He a decent young player, but I don’t see Garcia as the long term World Class RCB for City.

 

[bluemoon32]

Hope he stays but if he goes i hope we get a decent fee for him.
Good luck to him either way, even if he leaves i hope he goes on to have a great career

 

[Gabriel]

Why do City wait until a young player is 12 months from leaving for nothing, esp the top young talent. Every other club in the world has a the players under contracts that require a fee, even if they only sign the contract to get their club a fee!

I think this is a done deal, he’s gone and we are haggling over price, because we are going to be made to bend over for a starting world class RCB. For me, he’s at least normally in the Ake price range. Because of the ticking clock, that might end up being €25M with add-ons and a sell on clause. If we sell Stones and Otamendi, that a massive unloading of wages, recouping of fees and the money to bring in the right WC RCB.

He a decent young player, but I don’t see Garcia as the long term World Class RCB for City.

I'm sure we'd have liked to have tied him to a long-term deal, so the fact that we have gotten to this stage suggests that we've been unsuccessful in doing so already. I'm not overly concerned if he stays or goes, in truth. I think he's an intelligent player and capable passer, but while I think he'll fill out physically, the one thing that rarely comes as players age is pace, which in his position is indispensable.

This might be a little controversial, but if he does go, those in charge might have to acknowledge that the policy of attracting Spanish starlets is perhaps not worth the bother. I'd be happier if we were attracting players from South America instead.

 

[BringBackSwales]

They cannot afford to buy him now (at our asking price) but we won't want to lose him next year for nothing. He has been given plenty of playing time, so if he has no intention of staying beyond next season, then sell him this summer and cut our losses.

If Koulibaly signs, we go with three established central defenders and, say, Fernandinho, Sandler, Adarabioyo, and Harwood-Bellis in reserve.

Is his contract a year or two years? I have seen both mentioned

 

[Woody135]

Maybe we’ve been playing him regularly to increase his value.
Added bonus he performed well