Manchester City Duo on their way to Barcelona

Saturday’s Champions League Final loss to Chelsea will be the last time Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia suit up for Manchester City. Aguero completed his move early on May 31, while Garcia is scheduled to be presented soon with only minor details pending. With Barcelona in a poor economic situation and in dire need of reinforcements, Aguero and Garcia are very suitable options. Both will arrive for free and strengthen the team.

Why Sergio Aguero?

City legend, Aguero, has completed a move to the Camp Nou. Aguero’s City contract expires this summer and both parties earlier confirmed that they will be parting ways. This is a bittersweet ending to what has been an extraordinary career for Aguero at City. The Argentine talisman leaves Manchester City with a record-breaking 260 goals and 15 trophies to his name. This includes five Premier League championships, six English League cups, three English Super Cups, and one FA cup.

Barcelona does not have a proper “number 9” after selling Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid last summer. Their top choice for the striker position was this season’s breakout star, Erling Haaland. However, the 20-year-old has a market value of 110 million euros. Barcelona would have not been able to match that due to their poor financial situation. Aguero seems like a safe bet considering he is arriving for free and is lowering his wages to play for the Catalan club. More so, he brings experience and much-needed quality upfront as well as a great connection to national team teammate and friend, Lionel Messi.

Sergio Aguero Officially Completes Transfer To Barcelona. Photo Courtesy of FC Barcelona

Why Eric Garcia?

Many would argue that poor defending is what cost Barcelona this season and not the lack of attacking options. Despite the breakthrough of young academy stars Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza, Barcelona lacked solid options in the back. Clement Lenglet had arguably his worst season in a Blaugrana shirt.  The Frenchman made multiple errors throughout the season which cost Barcelona heavily. Talisman Gerard Pique has struggled with injury throughout most of the season. Lastly, Samuel Umtiti has not regularly featured for the Catalan club for about three seasons due to injury problems and very poor performances.

These defensive problems have prompted the club to re-sign former La Masia product, Eric Garcia, whose  City contract also expires this summer. The 20-year-old has not featured regularly for Manchester City. This makes many question whether the youngster will be enough to fill the holes in Barcelona’s gapping defense. It would be surprising if Barcelona does not go after a more experienced center back in this transfer window as well. Yet, the club believes Garcia can strengthen their defense now as well as be one for the future. Will Garcia be the heir to Gerard Pique in the backline? Only time will tell.

Eric Garcia will be headed back to his boyhood club this summer. Photo Courtesy of Tribuna

This is only the beginning of what will be a long summer in Barcelona. With many arrivals and departures set to take place, club President Joan Laporta is planning a squad overhaul in order to ensure the club competes for all trophies next season. Read about Joan Laporta’s plans here: https://thegamehaus.com/soccer/barcelona-planning-a-squad-revolution-for-the-2021-22-season/2021/05/27/

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