TTLB Opinion: How can Tottenham use Eric Garcia in current defensive style deployed at N17

The Lilywhites have been looking to add more depth and quality to their defence, and Daniel Levy has been considering a lot of potential options, and Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia has been capturing headlines given his links with a move to Tottenham Hotspur of late. There have been reports suggesting that the Liylwhites could take advantage of Barcelona’s need to sell and could land themselves a bargain deal for former Manchester City centre-back.

Garcia is an interesting profile given that he is someone who has an ability to play with the ball at his feet (making him almost press resistant in that first phase) and is very good at positioning himself smartly. And given that he is not as physical with his duels or recovery pace, he almost makes it up with exceptional passing range and composure under pressure. His abilities on the ball aid the Spaniard to almost manipulate opponents’ pressing structures to build out from the back.

When in controlled possession, he is a perfect structural anchor, and this is why the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona value him highly.

But then, he is not a player that would fit into high-transitional, duel-heavy systems where he runs the risk of being isolated in 1v1 situations or left to recover over distance. So his weaknesses, in a way, play exactly to the strengths that Postecoglou is looking to bring to his squad. For the North Londoners, Garcia’s success will depend on how well the system deployed around him protects him defensively and how much responsibility he gets in that first buildup phase.

Where does Garcia stand out?

Before we get into the possibilities of how Ange can use Garcia in his current setup, let’s take a brief look at the former Man City defender’s attributes:

We have already established that he is quite apt with his passes, so let’s start by adding to it – Garcia has an elite short- and mid passing range which he uses to get the better of the first and second lines of defence with ease. And his press resistance comes as a complement to his abilities with the ball, given how he is calm and composed in tight areas and could come as an integral asset against high-pressing opponents.

Again, his lack of ability with defensive duels means that the North Londoners would have to pair him with an aggressive and athletic centre-back like Micky van de Ven. His aerial presence is limited as well, and the North Londoners will have to devise strategies to protect him (especially from dead ball situations).

His recovery pace is also not as fast as you would want it to be, given that he is going to be coming into a high-line structure at Tottenham.

So how can Eric feature in the current Lilywhites setup?

The North Londoners can use Garcia to break out of deep blocks when facing high press situations. He could ideally be a rotator in the current defence where you put him into the side in maybe lower-stakes games. Ange Postecoglou could also use Garcia in more of a match controller role where he brings him on in the final 15–20 minutes when the Lilywhites need to protect a lead, where he slows down the tempo and retains possession. And he could be used in games where the Australian head coach wants to play with composure over chaos.

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• TTLB Opinion: Should Tottenham be worried about Van de Ven to Real Madrid or is it all agent talks?

Author Opinion

The North Londoners could consider bringing in Eric García in more of a rotational role signing to help with the build-up phase, depth, and that tactical composure/control. That being said, you need to use him wisely given how easy it is to expose his weaknesses. Play him with more of a recovery defender and play him in games that are low stakes. And he should not be played in a way where he is in the middle of transitional aerial duels. The Lilywhites chiefs need to remember that he is more of a system asset and should be treated wisely.