Barcelona defender confirms contract talks over new deal | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has confirmed that he is currently in contract talks over a new deal with the club. Garcia is one of five players currently out of contract next summer that Director of Football Deco will have to make a decision on.

The 24-year-old looked like an almost certain departure this time last year, with doubts over his future. Yet after Hansi Flick persuaded him not to go out on loan last January, Garcia began to grow in importance. Recent reports suggest that he will be offered a five-year deal by Barcelona, whom Flick has requested that they renew.

“Everything will be discussed soon. We’ve started talking about a renewal. Captain? Who knows, maybe I could be a candidate for captaincy in the future,” he told Jijantes in an interview.

Positional change for Eric Garcia

As part of that growth, Garcia has of late been operating at right-back, having performed well there in the closing stages of last season. This year he has kept Jules Kounde out of the line-up in two of the three opening games.

Image via Europa Press

“I felt very good at right back last season and I’m comfortable. We try to make the right side less offensive than the left because we have Lamine, Marcus, and Rapha who move more inside.”

There have been doubts about Barcelona’s defence early on though, conceding three times, and allowing more big chances than any other side in La Liga.

“Last year we started off worse; Monaco conceded three goals against us at the Gamper. We’ve grown; we’re young, and we played all three away matches.”

Girona loan was crucial for Garcia

One of the teams trying to loan Garcia last season, both in the summer and winter transfer windows, was Girona. Garcia performed well under Michel Sanchez two seasons ago often on the right side of a back three.

“The loan was a personal decision. I needed to play. With Girona’s interest, it became even clearer. The Olympics were on the horizon, and I wanted to play.”