Aymeric Laporte is gradually getting closer to his long-awaited return to action. The Frenchman sustained a knee injury versus Brighton back in September and has been absent ever since – as a result, Manchester City have struggled at centre-back and so in the eyes of the supporters and his coach, his return cannot come soon enough.
As a result of Laporte’s injury, the young Spanish defender Eric Garcia has made five Premier League appearances this season and it appears the fans cannot wait to see the pair line-up alongside one another on Twitter.
Is Garcia ready to pair Laporte at centre-back?
No
Yes
Can’t wait for you to partner up with Eric Garcia ?
— Man City (@mancity2432) January 1, 2020
Cant wait to see Laporte and Eric Garcia at the back!!
— Luke St Leger (@luke_mancity) January 1, 2020
Unpopular Opinion: Eric Garcia should be the one to partner with Aymeric Laporte once he comes back. pic.twitter.com/FqOCCjpFmG
— Depression SZN (@DeBrxyne17) January 1, 2020
Garcia and Laporte will do me #mcfc
— Ste F (@Stevefoxy78) January 1, 2020
Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte is the future
— Nabeel (@NA1907_) January 1, 2020
Looking forward to see laporte & garcia pairing together soon
— ny?lmin (@dniolamin) January 1, 2020
What do we think?
Eric Garcia has impressed when handed opportunities by Pep Guardiola and most City fans would agree that Aymeric Laporte is the best of the club’s senior central-defenders. Laporte is currently 25-years-old but boasts a wealth of experience having already tasted Premier League glory with the Cityzen’s twice. Garcia is just 18 but has shown positive signs however he will only improve by playing regularly alongside somebody more established.
Whether or not Guardiola will feel the pair can cope with the demands of the English top-flight remains to be seen. We’d expect Laporte to walk straight back into the side when fit but suspect that despite the promise shown, Garcia will need to remain patient a little longer.