Eric Garcia interview: Barca, Ansu, Man City and his future
The former Barca youth player and likely summer signing spoke to Sport and others
Eric Garcia showed his maturity in a small group interview with journalists at Las Rozas, including one from SPORT. The centre back confirmed he will not be renewing his contract with Manchester City. His next destination will be Camp Nou.
“I took the decision in that moment, what I will do later I don’t know, right now I’m focused on Man City and the national team,” said Garcia.
The player insisted that conversations with Barcelona and about his future “my agent is taking on, I’m focused on the season, the last part is to come where everything is to play for and now there are three international games. We have the Europs in the summer and I have to be ready if the coach counts on me.”
Garcia explained that, despite not renewing his deal, he has not broken his relationship with Pep Guardiola.
“My relationship with Pep is the same as before I took my decision. I have a contract and I’m focused on City, if the coach thinks it’s time for me to play,” said Garcia.
“I understand that he isn’t making many changes because the players (in the team) are at an incredible level.”
Garcia says he still feels like a Barca fan “after nine years in the youth academy” and “playing besides Messi would be very special, he is the best in the world. We see week after week what he does and it’s incredible.”
Despite not playing much at all, he is content.
“I am not worried because there’s a to at stake and I focus on what I can control, which is to train 100 per cent. The rest is up to my agent and when the season’s on he will tell me.”
He says he’s in contact with Ansu Fati and watches all Barca’s games.
“I like to watch football, different leagues, I enjoy it. I like teams that bring the ball out from the back and press as much as possible. Barca are one of those and there are others.
“They’re having a very good moment, the coach is backing the youngsters and that’s good for them.
“(Ansu and I) have known each other all our lives and when we talk we don’t talk about football, hardly at all. Now he’s recovering and he knows I’ll help him in any way I can.”
