Joan García

BJJ

Well-known member
Let's face it. Noone has really scouted him or watched alot of his games. I've watched Asspanyol games in passing but he didn't really stand out.
I asked the forum multiple times about him. No-one answered. So going off highlights he looks good but so did Terrorist.
I'll reserve judgement after a couple of seasons here.
 

Loki

Well-known member
So going off highlights he looks good
Everyone looks good in compilations. You can make a video about a third division player who will look like one of the best players in the world, if you cut out all his mistakes and show his best scenes.
None of us can actually rate him truly, because I expect none here watched more than 4-5 full 90min games of Espanyol in total this season. But if he comes, then Deco together with Flick and their staff analyzed him being good enough to be worth his release clause and strengthen the team short- and long-term.

I personally thought the club will go with MAtS into another season, as he got just fit recently, but his injuries keep piling up lately and that affects directly his form. So I understand the move.
 

draconifire

NTC with a Positive attitude
Being completely honest, how many have watched him this season outside of games vs us and Madrid?.

Because I personally have no eye test on him, which is why I've never gotten into how is should or shouldn't be rated.
I have watched maybe 7ish games of his. And some extended highlights of his season and other matches.
Wont say he is at the level of a top keeper. But we don't need a top keeper. We need a keeper that's good enough and better than the Terrorist.

I am happy to say, he seems to be miles better.
Quicker reflexes. ✅
Near post reflexes and guarding ✅
Ok Shot stopper ✅. He tends not clear/collect the ball properly, hence the ball can land on the opposition's feet. But his reflexes are quick enough that he almost always reaches the 2nd ball quicker than any player in the box.
I don't think a lot of people were looking for this, but for me one of the major traits I was looking for was a Keeper in 1v1. He seemed to be in that situation quite a bit more than Chavelier and did pretty well. I was happy with that. Chavalier might be a better shot stopper, but the sample size of him being 1v1 was quite low, hence I am inclined towards Garcia. ✅
Didn't really care about his passing skills and ball-playing ability. I don't even care if he is dogshit at it. ✅

All in all he should be a good enough keeper for us. But we should definitely get a backup who is taller and has promise. Ship both Tek and Mats out next season.
 
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malvolio

Senior Member
I think this has more to do with the release clause being low than anything else.
We already know Barca doesn't spend big on GKs so they probably thought that for 25M they can give it a go.
 

Andresito

Senior Member
Staff member
He's not getting loaned out. Many claiming he will join in coming hours but I'm not sure if we have the capacity to sign and announce players yet.
 

Porque

Senior Member
I think this has more to do with the release clause being low than anything else.
We already know Barca doesn't spend big on GKs so they probably thought that for 25M they can give it a go.

It's not that cheap though is it.

If you are the sporting director (Deco), you might be annoyed that 25m is going here. That's 25m less for other positions.

Next season free agents have Maignon, while this years low buyouts has Leo Roman. So it wasn't a case of Joan Garcia being just an opportunity, he has to have that top tier goalkeeper quality too.

With that said, I'm happy we closed this. He has height, his reflexes are very good and he looks like he will win us points. The only issue is if he can cope with the pressure.

I'm with @BJJ on my viewing of him. I've seen Espanyol a fair bit this season because they are on the free games and the normal pay tv games a alot. He didn't stand out but that suggests he was doing his job. Now if I was being attentive because I knew we were going to sign him, I would have noticed his attributes much more.
 

Don Juan Laporta Estruch

Basta yaaaaaaa, Cabron ! y Bona nit 🥂
The release clauses makes it a fantastic signing where Barca really can't lose. We know he is a level up from what we have, but this will play out in one of 3 scenarios.


1) He flops. Given how young he is and how cheap we will get him for, we won't lose much and I suspect another EPL team would give him a shot for around 20m.

2) He is good, but not world class. In this scenario I'd like to see us throw money at a world class keeper when our finances go back to normal in a year's time and move Garcia to number 2. Donnarumma/ Maignan will be out of contract for example and another GK will emerge next season as Garcia has this. Tek/Ter/Pena all out.

3). He is world class and we have our GK position sorted for the next 10 years.

There really is no downside with this one.
 

Porque

Senior Member
The release clauses makes it a fantastic signing where Barca really can't lose. We know he is a level up in what we have, but this will play out in one of 3 scenarios.

I read a comment which I agreed with and will post here.

A person said that the big mistake Espanyol are making with this transfer by playing up their antiBarcelonismo and demanding the clause, putting pressure on the player through the media like their managers comments.

When instead they should negotiate the sale for the same as the clause, or a little less and get a player on like Pau Victor or Hector Fort.

I think that would have been smart and helped both sides, but most of all the player, who for no reason they are trying to turn the fans against.


Remember guys like Braithwaite recently got paid out of his contract at Barca to then sign with Espanyol.

And big LaMasia players like De la Pena, Joan Verdu and Sergio Garcia become club legends at Espanyol.

No need to make a hostility out of nothing.
 

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