Barcelona youngster and ex-Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has had quite a mixed stay in Catalonia. Arriving from the Premier League on a free transfer, the 22-year-old has come into the spotlight on more than one occasion.
Criticism in Barcelona:
His performances, while not always at fault, have been critiqued from time to time for being lackluster and guilty of costing Barcelona in crucial moments. His defensive skills have been called adjectives not too pleasing on the eye and his deployment on certain occasions has been attributed to nothing more than Spanish bias by the manager.
Yet, when all seems to be going downhill for the youngster, there comes news of hope for his stay. This new hope emerges in the form of an experimental new role.
New position for Garcia:
As recent news would suggest the player is more than likely to be sold off or sent elsewhere from the Catalan club, new reports from SPORT would suggest that he may have a new role and essence to contribute to the club. Xavi is reportedly testing out the youngster in the pivot position and initial results have been rather positive in training.
The player’s technical qualities and ball progressive abilities gain more attention and allow him to use his rather solid vision in possession without being brought down by his lack of defensive qualities as he would in the central defensive position. His roots from La Masia will aid him much more so in this position than he’s been able to showcase in a more pragmatic position.
Xavi could choose to use this concept and idea of Garcia as a pivot in one of their upcoming games and should it show promise, it would once more allow Eric Garcia to gain more prominence within the team yet again and provide Barcelona with some much-needed diversity and depth in the pivot position.
