The Blaugrana’s poor performance in the UEFA Champions League was largely attributable to the unavailability of many important players, and as a result, the Catalan club was eliminated in the group stage for the second year in a row. However, Xavi’sseason has been hampered by injury concerns once again.

It looks like Barcelona’s defense unit has taken some new injuries after their recent game. While the French and Spanish national teams wait for news, both Eric Garcia and then Jules Koundewere substituted out during Saturday’s clashagainst Valencia.

How serious are Garcia andKounde’s injuries and will theycome back in time for the World Cup?

Although they won 1-0 at Mestalla against Valencia, Barcelona ended the game with Marcos Alonso and Gerard Pique in the center of defense after losing both of their starting central defenders to injury.A hip injury forced Eric Garcia to leave the game just before halftime.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman, who missed a number of games due to a hamstring injury, is now sidelined by a thigh strain. Barca coachXavi Hernandez has claimedhe did not see any major issues with the pair, but more information will be available following testing: “Kounde felt a strong discomfort, but it doesn’t look like an injury. The same for Eric, who told me he’s not injured, but we will see.”

Barcelona have confirmed earlier that both players have strained muscles: Garcia in his left hip (external obturator) and Kounde in his left thigh (biceps femoris).The club havenot announced a timetable for rehabilitation, but the Catalan newspaperMundo Deportivo reports that they should not miss more than a week of action.

The midweek UEFA Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen is a good opportunity to rest the duo as they will prepare to face Almeria in La Liga the following weekend. Thus,Kounde and Garcia are expected to have fully recovered in time for the World Cup. If you want to know how the 2022 Qatar may go, ourWorld CupPredictorwill show you every possible scenario.

Following the hard-fought win to be crowned in the Carabao Cup, the Spaniard coach talked in a press conference and addressed many topics. After all the hype for the triumph, Guardiola took many by surprise when referring to the future of one of his players.

The former Barcelona boss opened up on the situation of an important member of his squad, who has been highly praised by the manager before confirming he won’t stay with the Sky Blues and that his next destination could be the Camp Nou.

Guardiola regrets seeing ‘one of his favorites’ leaving

While the Sky Blues were shining on the pitch, some big names have been missing most of the action lately. Pep Guardiola was asked about it, and he referred to Eric García‘s situation. The young center back earned a spot in the starting eleven last season, but in the current one, he barely saw the field.

Since he turned down offers to renew his contract, which expires in June, the defender lost his placein the team despite his remarkable performances. City’s coach confessed that García would be also close to signing with his former team:

“I would say Eric García is one of my favorites players. I would love to have 15 ‘Eric Garcías’ for his behavior. He’s always thinking in the team, always with a good face in good moments andbad moments. He will go to an incredible team, butwhen people say they are unsatisfied I don’t play them. Most of the time Eric is not on the bench because he is going to move to Barcelona, I hope so,” he said.

As Guardiola stated, Eric García would be returning where he made his first steps as a soccer player. He belonged to the Catalans’ Academy for nine years between 2008 and 2017 untilManchester City acquired him. In a couple of months, he will become a free agent and the Cules would secure him without paying any transfer fee.

García’s first appearances with the Citizens’ first team wereimpressive but he will be leaving them shortly after that breakthrough. Barcelona is looking forward to upgradingthe defense and they probably found a great candidate in one of their own, who already proved to be capable of performing in the top level.

The 20-year-old took part in 13 games in the 2019/20 season, in which he overcame a tough head injury. This campaign didn’t saw him featuring very much though, as he only played in four games so far, and the last one was in March. From then on, García wasn’t even called up as a substitute on many occasions. Hopefully, he and Barcelona will meet again for the best of both.

Club legend Ronald Koeman couldn’t turn things around quickly, though, but as the current season developed his team gave reasons for optimism. It istrue, though, thatBarca were once again knocked out of the UCL in an early stage and being humiliated at home. Still,they strengthened in La Liga with a longundefeated rununtil the loss against Real Madrid showed they are far from perfect. Then again, Koeman’s boys lifted the Copa del Rey and gave a signal of hope. Barca’s president Joan Laporta trusts in the Dutch and bothof them insiston fortifying Barcelona in the long term.

There’s a lot of work to do for Koeman to take Barcelona back to the top. Retaining superstarLionel Messi is the main task, as the Argentine contract expires in summer and he hasn’t made a decision yet. At the same time, Sergio Aguero could be arriving atthe Camp Nou,possibly joining hiscompatriot. However, the Catalans intend to secure at least two more well-known names to upgrade other positions as well.

The two players to boost Messi and Aguero in Barcelona

The priority of renewing Messi’s deal seems to be going in the right direction, while ‘El Kun’Aguero would be close to reaching an agreement. With the twoof them in, the Blaugranas could concentrate onadding more power to their squad.

Once again, the free agency would be providing the solution for that job. Eric García and Georginio Wijnaldum are reportedly in Barcelona’s plans for the next campaign. The center back, who turned down Manchester City‘s offers to renew his contract,is a great option to upgrade the defense, whose weaknesses have given Barca many unpleasant moments.

On the other hand, the Cules seem to be a bit strongerin the midfield than at the back. But Wijnaldum not only has been a huge desire of Koeman since he took over the first team but hecould alsogive balance to the center of the pitch. Moreover, landing a player of his caliber without paying a transfer fee at all is a real bargain.

The Catalans are eager to get back to the good old dayswhen they were used to glory and not to be struggling in the most important competitions. While the club is trying to recover after boardroom conflicts from the last year, the team is also giving signals of growthwith bright youngsters and the possible arrivals of new players who could help Messi, if he stays, and Aguero, if he arrives as well.