Barca Universal
·7 June 2025
Barcelona imminent new arrival will be the ‘best in the world’, says former coach

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Yahoo sportsBarca Universal
·7 June 2025
After weeks of speculation over why Barcelona suddenly decided to show Marc-Andre ter Stegen the exit door, a report earlier today brought to light that incident that showed Hansi Flick change was a must.
With the club now having decided that the German will be behind both Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny next season, Ter Stegen is likely to even leave the club soon.
For that, Barcelona will first wait and get the Garcia deal over the line. An agreement is in place but the release clause is yet to be triggered and the club plan to do it next week.
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, former Espanyol goalkeeping coach Jesus Salvador who trained Garcia for four years commented on the Barcelona-linked star’s potential, quality and ceiling.
He began by making a huge claim about Garcia’s potential to become the best in the world in his position.
“He will end up being the best in the world,” the coach said.
“For the performance he has given, he is going to take a very big step,” he added, ratifying his move to Barcelona.
Salvador was then asked to elaborate on what set the Espanyol goalkeeper apart from the other players in the position, to which he said:
“You see his movements and any correction you give him, he improves the action in the next repetition. He’s a very intelligent boy.”
“He understands the game, and what is asked according to the game model. That’s part of his talent,” he added.
Salvador also gave Garcia credit for being a great reader of the game, something that is critical to succeed at Barcelona.
“He has an innate talent for reading the game. We have prepared him in the offensive phase to be brave and carry the game from behind.”
“Playing away from the area is essential for a goalkeeper,” he added.
Set to be join Barcelona soon. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The former coach of Garcia did not stop there as he went on to highlight further aspects of the Spaniard’s games that stood out to him.
“His ability to read what the rival does. He not only notices the ball but also the player and his non-verbal communication. In that we have even been heavy, so that I was aware of it,” he said.
While Garcia was Espanyol’s single most important player last season, it was not always easy for him. The coach spoke about the struggles Garcia faced while moving up the ranks and how he too made mistakes along the way.
“In my last season at Espanyol, with Diego Martinez and Luis Garcia, there were doubts about whether to give him his chance. Vicente Moreno gave him the chance, but the result was not as expected.”
“He was a young boy who had just played very little due to knee injuries, and I told the coach that everyone can fail. Neuer, Ter Stegen, Valdes, it has happened to everyone,” he added.
Finally, he spoke on why he saw Garcia as a sure-shot success at Barcelona despite the controversial transfer he was embarking on.
“He goes unnoticed off the field, but He transforms inside. He has a lot of personality, prominence in the aerial game.”
“He is used to receiving many shots on goal and now, if he ends up in Barcelona, the opposite will happen. He won’t have so much work but when he has it, he will have to be highly efficient,” he added on the difference he will have to adapt to.
“It involves a brutal concentration. That aspect doesn’t scare me about Joan. He is prepared to increase his performance,” he concluded.
Source: SPORT