Report: Barcelona plan to repeat the Fermin Lopez formula for returning centre-back | OneFootball

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are contemplating a strategy for defender Eric Garcia, drawing inspiration from the successful trajectory of young midfielder Fermin Lopez.

This approach could potentially pave the way for Garcia to secure a spot in the team’s defensive lineup next season under Hansi Flick.

It must be noted that during the 2022/23 season, Fermin was loaned to Linares, a team in the second tier of Spanish football, where he made a significant impact.

Despite not playing in the top division, Lopez’s performances were impressive, culminating in 11 goals in his debut season with Barcelona’s senior team. This achievement demonstrates the value of gaining experience through loans, even outside of the top flight.

Barcelona are hoping to replicate this success with Garcia, who is set to represent Spain at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

It is expected that Garcia is expected to join the team on July 10 with the aim of securing a place in the squad, just as Fermin did last season.

Interestingly, among the players currently on loan, Garcia is the most likely candidate to join the list of Barcelona’s centre-backs for the 2024-25 season.

But there is a problem

Eric Garcia is likely to play a role for Hansi Flick next season. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

For what it is worth, Garcia’s participation in the Olympic Games may limit his opportunities to impress coach Flick during the pre-season.

As a key player for Spain, Garcia will be fully engaged in the Olympic tournament, which starts on July 26. If Spain advances to the finals, Garcia will be unavailable until August 11-12, leaving him only a brief window to train with the team before the start of La Liga.

This condensed timeline may not provide Flick with sufficient time to assess Garcia’s abilities thoroughly.

Currently, Barcelona boast a robust defensive lineup, featuring Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Inigo Martinez.

While Kounde is likely to continue as a right-back, the team still has four reliable centre-back options.

However, if any of these players depart, Garcia is well-positioned to fill the vacant spot, provided he can demonstrate his capabilities to coach Flick.