In a recent interview with Spanish and Madrid based media outlet, Diario AS, former Real Madrid left back Fran Garcia has opened up on his departure from the club.
Earlier on this year, Fran Garcia departed Real Madrid after three seasons in the Spanish capital, joining Real Betis in order to get some more regular game time.
He had already been struggling for consistent minutes last season, playing just 13 times in La Liga, with 10 of those being starts. He also started just one of the six games in the UEFA Champions League knockouts, with Alvaro Carreras getting the nod instead.
So, although there is a new manager in place with Jose Mourinho, game time was already going to be practically impossible upon the arrival of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. He was already struggling for regular starts, and well, Cucurella was not arriving to sit on the bench (long term anyway).
Therefore, he had no choice but to leave, something he has admitted himself. Indeed so, as when speaking to Diaro AS ahead of tonight's game between Betis and Real Madrid (via MadridXtra), the left-back has opened up on his exit in the summer.
"The club signed Alvaro Carreras [last year], but I finished the season playing important matches. This season, Cucurella was signed, [so] I think to myself 'We have four full-backs, I don't know if I'll be up to the task. Ferland Mendy is injured but he'll be back at the end of the year.
They've spent fifty million on Alvaro [Carreras], and sixty on Cucurella. I understand those players are going to be the priority."
Then, Garcia was asked about Cucurella himself, saying: "It was only natural that Cucu would sign for Real Madrid and take my place. I played with Cucu in Spain's youth teams. I was with the older kids, played as a winger, so we shared the left wing. I hope we play together for the Spain national team."
Fair play to him. Some honest, self aware and kind words. It is a shame it didn't work out for him at Real Madrid. He was very highly thought of during his time at Rayo Vallecano under Andoni Iraola, helping the team to establish themselves in the top flight. Plus, he spent eight years at Real Madrid before he went to Vallecano, so you always want the homegrown talent to do well.
Still, he's doing well for himself, getting a move to a club who will be playing in the UEFA Champions League this season. No doubt Madristas wish him well, apart from tonight and in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu later on in the season.
