Eric Garcia has been undisputedly one of the biggest breakthroughs Barcelona have seen in the recent past.From being a fringe player under Xavi, the former Man City star has established himself as a f...
Eric Garcia has been undisputedly one of the biggest breakthroughs Barcelona have seen in the recent past.
From being a fringe player under Xavi, the former Man City star has established himself as a first-team regular for Barcelona, occupying multiple different roles.
Central defender, right-back, left-back, or defensive midfielder, Garcia has played it all this season, racking up more than 2,000 minutes in the process.
Amidst this run of form, Franc Artiga, the current coach of Petro Luanda, who managed Eric during his time at Barça’s Cadete A, spoke to SPORT to heap praise on the defender.
What Artiga said about Eric Garcia
Reflecting on his time coaching the young talent at La Masia, Artiga highlighted that Eric was the definition of the club’s philosophy.
“My memory of Eric is very good, he is one of the players you remember with respect because he is one of the players who has taught us coaches what it is to be a footballer of La Masia. His ball output, his way of playing is total Barça DNA,” Artiga said.
He continued, emphasising the respect Eric commanded even at a youth level.
“In terms of the idea of play, in terms of behavior, in the way he has of being a base player, Eric is an example. He is one of the most respected footballers at La Masia not only by his teammates but by other generations. He is an example,” he added.
Artiga also pointed out that Eric’s success isn’t just due to talent, but also his personal environment and the guidance of his agent, Ivan de la Pena.
Eric Garcia has been the pillar of the Barcelona defence. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
“Eric is an example to follow both as a player and as a person. Now that it’s so fashionable to talk about footballers’ environments, I want to say that theirs is fantastic. On a family level and his agent Peña have led Eric’s career in a fantastic way,” he noted.
Eric’s career path involved a bold move to Manchester City, a return to Barcelona, and a crucial loan spell at Girona last season under Míchel. Artiga believes that the loan was the turning point.
“Eric’s time at Girona on loan went very well. He has done very well everywhere because he has known how to choose teams that play the same style of football.
“The continuity with Míchel gave him a lot of confidence, and when he returned to Barça he was a more accomplished player,” the coach explained.
Now back at Barcelona, Eric has thrived in Hansi Flick’s high-line system. Artiga analysed why the German coach’s tactics suit the Catalan so well.
“Flick’s style of play favours Eric a lot, no matter what position he is in. The position that surprises me the most is that of pivot, but I think that, as an alternative to Koundé, I see him very well.
“The departure of three centre-backs is great for him as he anticipates, runs very well at the back, and with the ball he is very good,” he said.
When asked about his best position, Artiga said, “Playing as a full-back or centre-back fits his characteristics. Where I least see him is as a pivot, but I have to say that he is competing very well and is confident.”
Finally, having watched him wear the armband at every youth level, Artiga made a bold prediction for Eric’s future at the Camp Nou, backing him to be a captain of Barcelona one day.
“We are seeing the Eric we saw at La Masia, and I am convinced that he will be the captain of Barça for many years. Knowing the leadership capacity that he showed in the youth academy, these skills will be shown more and more in the first team,” he concluded.
Category: General Sports
