Marcus McGuane is a name that I'm sure isn't familiar to many readers. But despite his lack of notoriety, the defensive midfielder has become the first English player to represent Barcelona since Gary Lineker played for the Catalan club in 1989.
Final changes for Barça
? McGuane, Abel Ruiz, Miranda
? Digne, Aleñá and Aleix Vidal pic.twitter.com/AUiETk6Irj— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2018
The 19-year-old came on in the 77th minute of Barcelona's tie with Espanyol in the Catalan Super Cup final. McGuane came on with the game poised at 0-0, the tie eventually going to penalties, Barca winning out 4-2 on spot kicks.
McGuane was signed from Arsenal in the January window, the English man's signature garnering much less fanfare than that of record signing Philipe Coutinho. The London born footballer has two caps for England's U19s, and also featured for Arsenal in their wins against Bate Borisov and Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League this season.
But that didn't stop McGuane from moving to the La Liga giants on the 30th of January signing for Barca B's for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal with a buyout clause of €25m.
What is perhaps the most dumbfounding thing about McGuane is that he is the first Englishman to play for Barcelona since 1989. 29 years have passed since Gary Lineker wore the blue and red of Barca and whether the lack of British players is an indictment of England's talent pool or their fear to play abroad is unclear.
McGuane has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 level but the Greenwich born midfielder has since switched his allegiance to England. Which is a pity because McGuane could've become the first Irish player to play for Barcelona since... I'll get back to you on that.
? Barça are #SupercopaCAT champions! ? ?? #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/BkaTRnNQa7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2018
