José Aurelio Gay, manager of the reserve team in 2019-2020, analyzes the new keeper of Barcelona.
On June 18, Barcelona announced the signing of Joan García, after paying his buy -out clause. So far he was the only summer sign for the Catalans. The Youth Academy player left the club where he trained to wear the Blanquigrana. Marca analyzes his career through José Aurelio Gay, who coached him in the Blanquigrana Reserve team. When the resident of Madrid arrived in Espanyol B, the keeper born in Sally was promoted from the youth system. At that time his reputation within the club was unanimous: he would be a top goalkeeper.
“Two special keepers came on: Fortuño and Joan. They were very different. Joan was the prototype of the modern keeper, more than 1.90, long, agile, fast … He was introverted, but very intelligent and what stood out, was his great passion for keepers, reminded José Geight,” “he watched.” In fact, the resident of Madrid changed between the two keepers for a while, but the first team quickly took knowledge of the player born in Sally, who started working with the big boys. And he ran an injury that forced him to be out for a while.
The coach is not surprised that Barcelona has paid the release clause of Joan García. He does not even understand why some teams did not take the step last summer. “People at the club, and I could see it, always said that he would be a top goalkeeper in the future, and this year he had the opportunity to prove it. He played more than 30 games and has made many saves, although he has been shot at a lot. He is exceptional,” he explains.
José Aurelio Gay even admits that paying 25 million for the Catalan goalkeeper is a bargain and explains that signing for Barcelona is already demonstrating the great quality of Joan García. “He is very young, but he is a keeper for the present. He will considerably increase that 25 million,” he claims. Even when the coach Espanyol left in 2021, he already spoke about the quality of the youth player with two major teams, but there were no market movements at that time.
Strengths and improved areas
José Aurelio Gay emphasizes two aspects of Joan García: his air power and speed. “He is brave when it comes to taking crosses of the wing, corners … he doesn't mind a lot of traffic in the box. And he is very fast. Despite his height, he can make two or three saves in the same piece. In fact, it is something he worked on a lot, and sometimes you should tell him that training was over,” he remembers.
But on the other hand, he believes that he should improve in two other areas that are the characteristics of Barcelona. “He will have to play with his feet; many balls will come on his way, and Barça has a very advanced defense. That is why he will have to learn to make the right decisions with balls behind him, so he does not come out late or ends half -hearted,” the coach explains. In any case, he assures that Joan García is a very recipient keeper who listens closely to the coach.
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