Garcia Can Still Be The Real Deal

Javi Garcia has had an erratic start in City colours, but he has the pedigree to establish himself in Roberto Mancini's team...

25 year old Garcia, a relative of Liverpool's Luis Garcia started out his football career in the Real Madrid Youth system as a central midfielder. He played one season at Osasuna before Real decided to execute the buy back clause implemented by themselves as part of his contract when passed over to the El Sadar stadium. However, his return was short lived as he was sold on to Benfica in 2009.

Whilst at Benfica, Garcia played a crucial part in assisting the Portugese club to lifting the league title through established good form. Off the back of that form and open recognition from the likes of Taggart, Garcia went on to make his full international debut in a friendly between Spain and Serbia this year.

In August Garcia made his move to the Citizens for the tidy sum of £15.8 million.

Garcia's strengths lie mainly in midfield, being combative, strong with the ball, an excellent tackler with a good range of passing; his height gives him an advantage in aerial duals. His versatility means he can quite comfortably fill in at centre-back if and when required.

You only have to watch him when he goes in for a tackle to see his strength. One of the amusing sides to Garcia is that when he first made his debut with the Citizens he scored and then received a yellow card, the same went for the second and third times he appeared...he received yellow cards. I myself found that quite amusing. This stems from determination to get the ball at whatever cost!

On the down side, Garcia lacks pace, not a must have for a midfield defender, but it does leave him in a sticky situation here and there which he has found difficult to get out of. By contrast, the likes of Micah Richards have the speed, strength and ability to get out of any tight spots he may find himself in.

Since that first goal scoring appearance in September at Stoke, Garcia has been missing for some time due to a nasty thigh injury sustained against Dortmund but after having followed his progress through healing stages in Abu Dhabi he comes across as someone who will be of great advantage to the Citizens despite a poor showing against Ajax this past week.

Even though he failed to make the grade at Real, I am convinced he will make his mark with the Citizens and will prove to link up well with David Silva in particular. His natural place is in central midfield, this is where he can play to his maximum ability, and hopefully this is where Roberto Mancini will place him in order to get the best out of him.

Garcia's best is yet to come.

UPCOMING FIXTURES
all times East Manchester

Su 11 Nov 13h30 Spurs, The Etihad, PL
Sa 17 Nov 15h00 Aston Villa, The Etihad, PL
We 21 Nov 19h45 Real Madrid, The Etihad, CL
Su 25 Nov 16h00 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, PL
We 28 Nov 20h00 Wigan, DW Stadium, PL
Sa 01Dec 15h00 Everton, The Etihad, PL
Tu 04Dec 19h45 B Dortmund, Signal Iduna Park, CL
Su 09Dec 13h30 The rags, The Etihad, PL
Sa 15Dec 12h45 Newcastle, St James' Park, PL
Sa 22Dec 15h00 Reading, The Etihad, PL
We 26Dec 15h00 Sunderland, Stadium of Light, PL
Sa 29Dec 15h00 Norwich, Carrow Road, PL

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.