“I’ve been thinking about Eric García as a pivot for a long time. It’s similar to what happened with Márquez. He has a good pass and is aggressive and wins duels. I think he can adapt well to the position,” he said. Xavi Hernandez at the pre-match press conference in Elche. And it is that the one of terrace may have found in Eric an alternative in the center of the field to replace injured footballers (such as The Young y Pedri) and also give rest to players with many games behind them.
Eric Garcia, together with Xavi, during a match
The numbers of the Catalan center-back endorse the words of the Barça coach, since the one from Martorell count with one 93% of passes completed, 7,16 progressive passes per game, 7,31 passes in the last third of the field every 90 minutes and an effectiveness of 78,7% in long-distance passes. These data are more remarkable if we take into account that they place him at the top of the table, compared to other central defenders in the five major European leagues.
Eric Garcia could take over from the injured Frenkie de Jong in midfield
Little prominence as central
In addition, two great characteristics that define the Blaugrana central defender are anticipation and quality in the release of the ball, fundamental factors for a defensive pivot and that fit perfectly with what he is looking for Xavi in that position. It remains to be seen if he adapts well to playing as the only pivot in the field or with the double pivot, fulfilling functions that have been seen in Sergio Busquets o Frankie Young.
This season, Eric Garcia is not having many minutes and it seems that, beyond the trio that they form Araujo, Christensen y Koundéeven Mark Alonso get into the plans earlier terrace to play in the center of the rear. Therefore, the relocation of the player could be a ‘win-win’ between the footballer himself and the interests of both the coach and the team.
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