Anyone who has watched Barcelona so far this season will know that Eric Garcia is not having a good start to life at the club after his move from Manchester City.
The defender waited almost a year to secure his dream return to the Nou Camp, having been heavily linked last summer and then in the January transfer window but failing to make the move.
That was because Barcelona didn’t have the money, but that changed this summer, and he got the transfer he wanted, having let his deal with Manchester City expire.
His return to the club is part of a big effort by Joan Laporta to sign players who ‘know’ Barcelona, that is to say, players who were trained by the club and La Masia.
Things, though, are not going well, and it’s been particularly difficult for Garcia. He’s been a regular under Ronald Koeman so far this season, and it’s been nothing but a disaster. Indeed, Barcelona are apparently shocked by how bad he is.
His latest poor showing came in the 3-0 defeat to Benfica in which he was shown two yellow cards, and the subsequent red, in a dismal evening for all involved.
That’s his second red card in six games for Barcelona and, like the other one, came after another disappointing performance for the 20-year-old.
He looks well out of his depth at this moment in time, and according to El Nacional, that is something they were warned about before signing him.
They report that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was ‘sincere’ before the player made the move and ‘warned Barca’ of the player’s ‘little experience’ and the dangers that would bring if he was given a starting role immediately.
The warning wasn’t heeded, though, with Koeman electing to show trust in the youngster. That clearly hasn’t worked out for him so far.
Fortunately, it’s not impacted Garcia as he’s still been called up by Spain and will likely play even more for Barcelona this season, who absolutely cannot say they weren’t warned.
