Manchester City’s academy product, Manu Garcia has attracted attention from the Serie A. AS Roma is currently holding talks for the 20-year-old’s signature next summer.
Garcia plays in the attacking midfield role but is versatile enough to appear from the flanks as well. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall, he is one of those shifty figures who has no problem in handling the ball in tight spaces.
In essence, he thrives around the penalty areas and has remarkably fast footwork to dribble his way out of trouble. He is adept in formulating attacks and is developing into a fine number 10.
Garcia is thriving with NAC Breda and played a key role in their chase for promotion to the Eredivisie. He set up his teammates on 9 occasions and scored twice within a span of just 6 months.
He has scored one and assisted one in 29 total appearances for the Dutch outfit this season. The only goal in his tally was scored in exceptional fashion earlier in the year.
The 20-year-old picked the ball up from inside his own half before scoring Breda’s third goal in their 6-1 win over Heracles.
After entering the opposition’s half Garcia breezed past two defenders before dancing past another two with one ending up on his backside. He completed the sensational move with a cool outside of the right-foot finish.
The Spanish attacking midfielder joined the City youth ranks back in 2014. He made his debut in the Premier League against Aston Villa on March 5, 2016.
He has served another loan spell with the Spanish side, Alaves in the 2016/17 season but after failing to make a single senior team appearance, City had to relocate him to Breda. Pep Guardiola’s main concern was professional maturity and that was exactly what was communicated when the loan move was sanctioned.
The City boss has a major hand in the improving his players – take Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane for instance. Both the wingers were on the edges of mediocrity last season but now have 32 goals and 26 goals between them.
However, it is also unlikely that Gracia would find much game time in the City ranks. Pep already has world-class talents in David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in the planking position along with Phil Foden as the backup option.
The former Barcelona manager is also known to rather expend magnanimous amounts on proven talents rather than giving the youth players much preference. Maybe this transfer is the right move for all parties – Roma, City and the Garcia.
