Eric Garcia defended Manchester City’s draw at West Ham and explained how he is trying to help Pep Guardiola.
The 19-year-old was part of an unchanged lineup at the London Stadium that had to come from behind for a point against a team they have routinely battered under the manager.
Picking the same XI from the midweek win over Porto raised eyebrows given how often Guardiola has spoken about how tired his players are and how often he rotates normally; this was just the second time he has picked the same XI in successive games while in charge of City and the first time since October 2017.
Garcia, though, reckons the City boss felt his players were in a good condition and expects a lot of teams to drop points this season.
“I think the manager did it as he thinks we are in a good condition,” he said. “The team I think responded quite well even though we played on Wednesday. The players who came from the bench did well.
“We always want to win. After the game you think we lost two points but it’s a point to take especially with our schedule. It’ll be a league where a lot of teams drop points. It was a physical game after a physical game in the week. One point is not bad.
“It was a really tough game, we wanted the three points but we have to take one. We probably didn’t play our best game but we had our chances, dominated the second half. We have to look at the chances we have missed and try to improve for the next game on Tuesday.”
Garcia’s selection again proved unpopular with many fans. The defender made it clear in summer that he will not extend a contract that runs out in June 2021 and would already be a Barcelona player if the two clubs had been able to agree a fee.
Despite his wantaway status, Garcia is clearly ahead of John Stones and others in Guardiola’s thinking, with the manager explaining how happy he is to be able to still count on the player.
Grateful for such trust, the teenager wants to repay the faith.
“For a young player like me it’s important to get minutes,” he added. “I’m really happy with the opportunities the manager is giving to me and I’m trying to repay his confidence.”
