Largely reported to be on the exit ramp last January, with concrete interest from Como, Real Sociedad, and Girona, Eric Garcia’s move was ultimately blocked by Hansi Flick, as revealed by Girona’s sporting director Quique Carcel.
“He’s a Barcelona player, they count on him (Garcia), they’ve made him see that he was important. There were times when he also wanted to come, and they tried and talked about it, but Hansi Flick said no. And it’s the most normal thing.”
A decision that paid dividends in the business end of last season, as Garcia put together a series of impressive performances, most notably deputizing for the injured Jules Koundé at right-back against Inter and Real Madrid.
To start this season, Flick’s trust in the Spanish defender has been on full display. Through four games of the 2025/2026 campaign, no outfielder has logged more minutes for the Blaugrana side than Garcia, with 355 minutes from a possible 360 spent on the pitch, per Opta.
With a thin defensive line after Iñigo Martinez’s departure this summer, Eric Garcia’s ability to play multiple positions has proven valuable for Hansi Flick’s side. So far this season, he has logged almost equal minutes at the right-back (175’) and center-back (180’) positions.
A Ball Progression Hub in Defense
Garcia’s greatest case for a pivotal role is his ability on the ball. Through four games, the Spanish defender has completed the fourth most open-play passes out of any La Liga player (270), behind only Pedri (345), Hugo Sotelo (311), and Javi Rodriguez (284).
Also worth noting, among Barça players, Eric ranks first, tied with Pedri, for most open-play chances created in La Liga this season (8), per Opta.
Last weekend’s game vs Valencia, at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, was a good example of what Garcia brings to the Blaugrana in possession. On numerous occasions, he showed a willingness to take risks and successfully find his teammates in between the lines of Valencia’s mid-block.
Here, he finds Fermin Lopez, who has drifted into the right half-space and attempts to receive on the half-turn.
Or here, he plays a beautifully disguised ball right into the feet of Ferran Torres.
Similar to the first example, this time Ferran is the one drifting into the half-space. Garcia finds him, and Barça’s #7 has enough space to turn and arm a shot.
A Key Role for the Remainder of the Season?
There is no telling what the 25/26 campaign may bring, but Garcia has certainly put forward a solid case for an important role in Flick’s side. While he might not start every game, the Spanish international will undoubtedly be an important contributor for the Blaugrana going forward.
Whether deployed at center-back to bolster the Blaugrana’s control against deep-lying defensive setups, providing healthy competition for Koundé’s right-back position, or, as seen last season, filling in for emergency shifts in midfield, the 24-year-old can expect his number to be called upon often by Flick’s coaching staff this season.
One thing is for sure: the playing time concerns that almost drove Eric Garcia to an exit last January are long gone.
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