When Did Bravo Leave Barcelona?
In the world of football, transfers are a common occurrence. Players move from one club to another, seeking new challenges and opportunities.
One such transfer that caught the attention of many fans was the departure of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona. Let’s take a closer look at when this transfer took place and the impact it had on both clubs.
The Arrival of Claudio Bravo
Claudio Bravo, a talented goalkeeper from Chile, joined Barcelona in the summer of 2014. His arrival was met with great anticipation, as he was seen as a key player who would strengthen Barcelona’s defense. With his impressive reflexes and excellent shot-stopping abilities, Bravo quickly established himself as an integral part of the team.
The Departure
However, after just two seasons with Barcelona, Bravo decided to leave the club. The news came as a shock to many fans who had grown accustomed to seeing him between the goalposts at Camp Nou.
In August 2016, it was officially announced that Bravo would be joining Manchester City, an English Premier League club. The transfer fee was reported to be around €18 million, making him one of the most expensive goalkeepers at that time.
The Impact
Bravo’s departure had a significant impact on both Barcelona and Manchester City.
Barcelona:
- Lack of Depth: With Bravo gone, Barcelona had to find a suitable replacement for their first-choice goalkeeper position. This led them to sign Jasper Cillessen from Ajax Amsterdam.
- Ter Stegen Takes Over: With Cillessen primarily being used in cup competitions, Marc-André ter Stegen became the undisputed number one goalkeeper for Barcelona.
He has since established himself as one of the best keepers in the world.
- Success Continues: Despite Bravo’s departure, Barcelona managed to achieve success on both domestic and international fronts. They won La Liga in the 2016-2017 season and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester City:
- Pep Guardiola Reunion: Bravo’s move to Manchester City reunited him with his former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola. Guardiola had previously worked with Bravo during their successful stint at Barcelona.
- Mixed Performance: Although Bravo showed glimpses of his brilliance, he also struggled at times during his tenure at Manchester City.
Inconsistent performances led to criticism from fans and pundits alike.
- Ederson Arrives: In response to Bravo’s inconsistent form, Manchester City signed Ederson Moraes from Benfica in 2017. Ederson quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the club.
In conclusion, Claudio Bravo left Barcelona in August 2016 to join Manchester City. His departure had a significant impact on both clubs, leading Barcelona to find a replacement in Jasper Cillessen and giving Marc-André ter Stegen an opportunity to shine. Meanwhile, Bravo reunited with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City but faced challenges with inconsistent performance before being replaced by Ederson Moraes.