Claudio Echeverri’s move to Girona has sparked strong reactions in Argentina. Journalists have openly criticised how Manchester City handled the midfielder’s early European career.
While the loan was quickly confirmed, the debate has focused on the path that led him there. It triggered criticism rather than relief in Argentina.
“A devalued progression” – harsh reaction from Argentina
One of the strongest reactions came from local journalist Nadir Ghazal, who questioned the coherence of Echeverri’s trajectory. “Ten months ago he was being presented at Manchester City,” Ghazal said. “Today he is announced at what will be his third European club, with a progression of teams that looks increasingly devalued.”
He went further. “If he remains poorly surrounded and poorly advised, he will keep spinning without coherence, like a fool. It’s a shame,” he added.
Similar criticism surfaced live on TyC Sports. Another Argentine journalist argued that the solution had always been obvious. “It was always very clear that Echeverri needed a loan at Girona,” he said.
He then questioned City’s handling of the player. “City ‘prepared’ him for six months to use him for ten minutes in an FA Cup final and to give him a few minutes at the Club World Cup.”
He also highlighted a key absence: “On top of all that, he missed the Under-20 World Cup because Leverkusen refused to release him.”
Spanish view echoes the same concern
From Spain, Rodrigo González Pascual, writing in Marca, shared a similar assessment. “It was hard to understand why City, with the structure they have to keep him under control, sent him to Leverkusen,” he wrote.
He explained the consequence. “It meant bringing forward a process that has cost him six months, plus the lack of match rhythm he has carried since February.” He ended with a warning. “Echeverri now goes to Girona with the burden of a relegation fight.”
Across Argentina, the reaction follows the same line. Girona now looks like the right environment, but many believe the correction arrived late.
For Manchester City, the question is whether this step finally delivers the continuity Echeverri has lacked since leaving River Plate.