Eric Garcia talks Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Anthony Gordon, Julian Alvarez: ‘We will have to be more careful’
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Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid continues to generate reactions from within the Barcelona camp, and Eric Garcia has now become the latest Blaugrana player to address the high-profile transfer.
Following recent comments from Dani Olmo, the versatile defender shared his thoughts during an interview with Mundo Deportivo, discussing Cucurella’s switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s transfer activity, Barcelona’s reinforcements and the growing speculation surrounding Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.
AdvertisementAdvertisementGarcia’s reaction to Cucurella’s Real Madrid move
Cucurella’s decision to join Real Madrid surprised many across Spanish football, including several players who know him personally through the national team setup.
Garcia made it clear that there is no bitterness inside the Barcelona dressing room regarding the transfer.
Instead, players are focused on supporting friends and former teammates when they make important career decisions.
“It’s the transfer window, and players move between teams. I think it’s only natural.
“We’re happy for our teammates if it’s the move they wanted. There was also the news about Victor [Munoz], and we’re happy for him.”
The defender also admitted that Cucurella’s change of club colours might alter the jokes shared among teammates.
Eric Garcia has wished Cucurella the best of luck. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking about his relationship with the new Real Madrid defender, Garcia said,
“We’ll have to be a bit more careful with him now (laughs). He’s a great bloke and if he’s decided it’s best for his future, then go for it.”
Garcia assesses Real Madrid’s new signings
Real Madrid have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market, strengthening multiple areas of the squad with the additions of Cucurella and Bernardo Silva, among others.
Garcia acknowledged the quality arriving at the Bernabeu but stressed that Barcelona have also improved significantly ahead of the new season.
“They’re strengthening their squad. They already had good players and are adding quality and experience.
“But I think we’ve also strengthened well with Anthony Gordon. I think the squad we have was already very good and I’m sure we’ll have another successful season.”
Furthermore, Garcia also offered an insight into what supporters can expect from new Barcelona Anthony Gordon after facing him this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementExplaining the winger’s qualities, he said, “He’s a very quick player who never stops pressing.
Eric Garcia has nothing but praise for Anthony Gordon. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
“I think he’s a bit different to what we have, perhaps because we have one-on-one wingers like Lamine or Rapha. But he’s a winger who gets into space a lot.
“I think that can also help us a great deal. And obviously, when it comes to pressing as well. We saw that for ourselves when we played against him this year.”
Alvarez praise will excite Barcelona fans
One of the more interesting moments of the interview arrived when Garcia was asked about Julian Alvarez, a player who continues to be linked with Barcelona.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe defender avoided entering transfer speculation but had no hesitation when discussing the Argentine’s ability.
First, Garcia responded cautiously to the rumours, stating,
“Yes, all I can say is that he’s a very good player because he’s proved it, but I’m not going to speculate on what the future holds for him because I don’t know either.”
However, when asked whether Alvarez possesses the level required to play for Barcelona, his answer was immediate and emphatic.
“Yes, of course, he’s a world-class player,” he concluded.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
