Manchester City-bound Julian Alvarez has spoken to compatriot Sergio Aguero ahead of his switch to the North-West.
Julian Alvarez, who is joining Manchester City this summer after he was immediately loaned back to River Plate after signing in January, has a perfect role model in Sergio Agüero in how to be a hit at the Etihad.
Argentine website AS quoted Álvarez saying:
"“With Kun (Agüero), when we were in the national team, I asked him a few questions, but I hadn’t signed anything with City yet. I’ll probably send him a message in a few days.”Via Sport Witness"
It looks like City have a great apprentice in Alvarez to replace their old master of Agüero. Alvarez’s style of play is similar to Agüero’s in the way he can dribble past players to score crucial goals from close range and distance.
"Alvarez added: “I had the chance to speak to (Pep) Guardiola in February when the contract had just been signed,”“It was a brief chat in which he welcomed me and congratulated me for what I was achieving and that he was happy that I was joining City.”"
Julián Álvarez’s agent Hidalgo denies reports of Olympique Marseille loan from Man City: “There is no chance that Julián will go to Olympique de Marseille”, tells @marcepalaciosmp ⛔️🇦🇷 #OM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2022
Manchester City want Álvarez to be part of the team next season, as things stand. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/Cqe7wmELmi
Julian Alvarez faces battle with Erling Haaland
Alvarez faces a battle for the starting striker’s role with the club completing the signing of Erling Haaland. You would hope he will speak to Guardiola again soon regarding how much game time he will get. Playing time is crucial this season especially as the Qatar World Cup is just around the corner.
It would be expected that Haaland would be the main striker. Alvarez can play as a winger as well as a striker and given Man City’s fluid system he should fit in to their style of play.
Alvarez has recently been part of Argentina’s squad. He came on as a substitute as Lionel Scaloni’s side beat Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima. He also started as La Albiceleste beat Estonia 5-0 thanks to five goals from Lionel Messi.
At club level this year, Alvarez scored 8 goals in the Copa de la Liga which is Argentina’s competition for the first half of the season. However, his club River Plate have started the Liga Profesional poorly with two draws. Alvarez was on international duty for the first game but his return could not inspire his side to a victory over Atlético Tucumán at the weekend.
He has also starred in Argentina’s version of the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores where he notably scored 6 goals in one game against Peruvian side Alianza Lima.
Julian Alvarez is only 22 and faces a tough challenge as he moves to Manchester. However, with his talent, the guidance of Guardiola and the advice from Agüero he has a lot going for him to be a success in the Premier League.