After securing a 3-1 win against Porto at the Etihad Stadium in Wednesday's Champions League clash, Pep Guardiola discussed the future of Eric Garcia. The teenage defender was a key part of the victory, featuring for the full 90 minutes.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s boss after his side won over Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, he spoke about the future of Eric Garcia with Man City. During the game against Porto, the teenager played all 90 minutes of the game. Played at the Etihad Stadium the game resulted in a 3-1 win for the hosts.
When questioned about Garcia's future, Guardiola admitted the player is considering a departure. However, the manager feels confident that with the right conversations, he can convince the Spaniard to commit his future to City by extending his current contract. Pep also noted that Garcia is a reliable presence on the pitch and is pleased with his current form.
Garcia, a Spanish international, is entering the final stages of his contract with City. There is significant speculation that he could return to his childhood club, Barcelona, with a move to the Camp Nou potentially happening in January or next summer. Despite this, Guardiola is keen to ensure he stays in England.
With a grueling stretch of three away games scheduled over eight days, Guardiola conceded that the mounting injury list is a cause for concern. The joy of the Porto win was slightly dampened when Fernandinho, who entered the game as a late substitute, had to limp off with a muscle injury that could sideline him for four to six weeks. Additionally, new arrival Nathan Ake was forced to miss Wednesday's fixture due to a groin issue.
Discussing the rest of his squad, Guardiola mentioned that Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte are set to resume training on Thursday, though he remains uncertain about their immediate availability. He highlighted the physical toll on the players, noting the tight turnaround between their upcoming match against West Ham and trips to face Marseille in France and Sheffield.
Guardiola admitted that the team is honestly struggling to cope with the absences, describing the loss of Fernandinho as another significant blow. While he acknowledged that they have depth and that some players returning from quarantine should help alleviate some of the pressure, the situation remains challenging.