This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

In an interview with Spanish publication AS, Manchester City prospect Eric Garcia has opened up on his long-term future at the Etihad.

What's the word?

The 18-year-old signed from La Liga giants Barcelona in 2017, and spent the majority of his first campaign at the Etihad in the academy sides.

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Pep Guardiola handed Garcia his Premier League debut in the 8-0 thrashing of Watford in September this season, and then went on to play the full game in the League Cup victory over Preston North End.

Now, the teenager has delivered a cryptic message on whether his spell at City will end up being a successful one, but remained adamant he is currently happy with his situation.

He said (as transcribed by Sport Witness): "It was a complicated decision (to leave), because it is a different country and language. The sports project they offered convinced me. I think time will tell, but so far I am very happy. I am enjoying opportunities that I did not expect at first. At the moment I am very happy in Manchester and I still have two years of contract left."

Opportunity knocks

Make no mistake about it, the spotlight is well and truly on Guardiola and his treatment of City's abundance of youth talents. Phil Foden undeniably is the name on everybody's lips, but Garcia's assured performances in his limited game-time has raised the pressure up a notch on the Manchester side's boss.

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The Citizens' injury crisis at the back means a blundering Nicolas Otamendi, and a converted holding midfielder in Fernandinho are having to make do as a centre-back partnership. The summer departure of Vincent Kompany already feels like an irreparable wound, but in Garcia, they have someone who has shown the City staff signs of becoming a key talisman in the future.

Speaking back in February earlier this year, the club's U18s boss Gareth Taylor hailed his Spanish captain's ability to inspire from the back.

"His attitude is first class. We’ve got a guy in Eric who has played three Carabao Cup games this season and when he plays our games for the Under 18s it’s like he’s playing a first team game. He’s a tremendous leader and that inspires everyone else."

Despite being in defence, Kompany would lead from the back and bring out the best in everyone else. At just 18, Garcia appears to be showing similar characteristics. It simply means Guardiola has no excuses but to turn to the Spaniard right away.