Barcelona's plan for a defence for now and for the future

Barcelona's plan for a defence for now and for the future

Eric Garcia / | sport

Eric Garcia, Araujo and Oscar Mingueza can all perform but have potential to improve too

Barcelona are making a defence for the long term. Players who can perform now but will above all, be there in the future. Centre backs who are starting to gain elite experience but have a long way to go too.

Eric Garcia’s signing follows that trend. He grew in La Masia, jumped to Man City, and as a natural in bringing the ball out from the back, he’s had to add a more aggressive sense to his play.

The style of the Premier League has helped him when it comes to contact play and aerial situations. He doesn’t shine in those aspects but his intelligence and positioning have helped him survive the physicality of the competition.

That he’s a special defender is shown by Luis Enrique calling him up for the Euros when he’s played just 12 games with City (858 minutes). He may even be a starter.

Lucho has seen something he likes in the national team training session and in games with Spain.

Pep Guardiola also likes Eric, saying he was like a son, but citing his move as the reason he didn’t get played a lot.

Eric (20) joins Araujo and Mingueza (both 22), among the youngsters hoping to be the centre backs next season.

The latter two have been important this year. Pique, Umtiti and Lenglet have been injured or in poor form, and they have stood up to be counted.

Araujo showed a great level and is hard to beat physically, he’s fast and strong in the air. Only his ankle problems have held him back. He found it hard to find his best form in the three-man defence after injury. Nobody doubts he will be important. Pique said it best. “Barca have a centre back for 10 or 15 years.”

Mingueza has been another who has played well under Ronald Koeman. Both at right back and centre back. He is aggressive, likes to anticipate, although sometimes that has cost him. The three-man defence works in his favour and he’ll have a role next season at Barca.

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