Uncertainty surrounding Eric Garcia's long-term future at Barcelona

Eric Garcia (22, Martorell) has experienced a rollercoaster ride this season at Barcelona. From the unbeatable sensations at the start of the campaign to not having a clear roadmap in June. 

The home-grown player started the league season as a starter after a promising pre-season forming a partnership with Andreas Christensen. The best scenario pointed to a season of consolidation and defensive improvements to accompany his natural talent to carry the ball out.

The scenario seemed propitious: paired with players like Christensen, Araujo or Koundé he could enhance his qualities and minimise his limitations (problems in body-to-body duels and aerial play). But several factors worked against his consolidation in the XI. On the one hand, he was responsible for some of the key moments of Barça's elimination in the Champions League group stage. On the other hand, the Araujo-Christensen pairing was consolidating.

Step back

As the season progressed, Garcia went from playing regularly to being the last in the centre-back rotation. Even Marcos Alonso moved ahead of him. The surplus of left-backs (Balde, Alba and Marcos himself) forced Xavi to create so they all had minutes. 

The solution was for the former Chelsea man to play at centre-back, an experiment that will only be an last-resort solution next season. With the departure of Alba and the arrival of Íñigo Martínez, Alonso will be the alternative to Balde at left-back.

Jordi Cruyff's idea

"Playing Eric in midfield was an idea from Jordi Cruyff, who told me about it last year," admitted Xavi after a game vs. Elche. "We could be looking at a great pivot".

The lack of alternatives to Sergio Busquets forced Xavi to look for imaginative solutions and he tried Eric in several games. "I'm a centre-back, but because of my qualities I can play as a pivot", said the player.

The experience has left more doubts than certainties in the end, though. Despite the centre-back's good feet and his understanding of the game, he doesn't seem comfortable in this new position. In midfield there is less time to think, you have to turn quicker and you also have to run more kilometres.

Despite performing well in some of the games, such as against Elche, there are doubts that the experiment will work next season. 

Eric started the game against Celta Vigo on Sunday as a central midfielder but ended it as a central dendefer. A good summary of a season without a clear roadmap. The more than likely arrival of Íñigo Martínez compromises his minutes as a centre-back and the club are looking for a replacement for Busquets.

But for the moment Xavi is clear: he is not transferable. He is a young player, but he is already important in the dressing room and is an alternative in several positions. The question now is: where does Eric's future lie at Barça?