Ronald Araujo’s unfortunate injury during Copa America, while representing Uruguay, couldn’t have occurred at a more challenging juncture for Barcelona.
Araujo’s capabilities are well-known, and his presence in the team is irreplaceable. Although Barcelona boast talented defenders like Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde, they lack the specific traits that make Araujo so valuable.
However, with the Uruguayan defender set to undergo surgery and miss almost four months of action, Barcelona must act swiftly to find a suitable replacement.
Unfortunately, the financial situation makes signing a new defender a distant possibility. Therefore, Hansi Flick must rely on the resources within the team, and Eric Garcia emerges as a viable solution.
One man’s pain is another man’s pleasure
Eric Garcia, a former Manchester City defender, may not possess the same physical presence as Araujo, but he excels in technical skills. In fact, the Spaniard was the highest-scoring defender in La Liga last season, demonstrating his prowess.
Eric Garcia was the highest-scoring defender in La Liga last season. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)
Although Girona have expressed interest in re-signing Garcia, Araujo’s injury has inadvertently created an opportunity for the defender to shine at Barcelona.
Interestingly, with Kounde expected to continue playing as a right-back, Barcelona’s defensive options are limited, with Christensen and Cubarsi being the only other available defenders.
After all, veteran defender Inigo Martinez is yet to be registered by the team, making Garcia an essential player for the upcoming season.
Limited time to impress Flick
Currently, Garcia is focused on the Olympic Games, but once the tournament concludes, he will join Barcelona’s pre-season preparations.
However, his participation in the Olympics might limit his training time under Flick, as Spain’s potential progress in the tournament could keep him in…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/ronald-araujos-injury-opens-a-window-of-opportunity-for-forgotten-barcelona-star/
Author : Ash Reyna
Publish date : 2024-07-16 14:42:47
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.