Just over one year ago, Manchester City announced the signing of promising River Plate striker Julian Alvarez. The player nicknamed 'La Arana' stayed with his boyhood club until the summer when he linked up with Pep Guardiola and his new teammates.
A year on, Alvarez has established himself as one of City's most important players and has recently been awarded a new deal, penning terms that will keep him at the Etihad until 2028.
At the beginning of the season he struggled for game time as Erling Haaland took the Premier League by storm. However, after playing a considerable role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph, he returned to the Etihad with a point to prove and he's been in fine form in recent weeks.
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Playing almost as a second striker, his position has been slightly altered. This change has allowed more space for Haaland and helped him get his hat-trick against Burnley last week. Alvarez has notched a fair few goals himself since the World Cup and there is no doubt he will play a massive part in this season’s run-in.
For Alvarez, there are obvious comparisons to be made between himself and City’s all-time top goalscorer, Sergio Aguero. However, it is Haaland who is currently the one who is showing signs of breaking Aguero's record.
If Alvarez is to become City’s leading man up top, he may have to wait for Haaland to move on, which has been a much-debated topic ever since the ex-Dortmund man walked through the doors at the Etihad.
With his ‘Galactico’ aura, links with Real Madrid took a matter of hours to appear after he switched to City and Haaland’s agent has even been quoted as saying that Real Madrid is a 'dream move' for players.
If Haaland was to switch City for Madrid, Alvarez would most likely be promoted to City’s main man. However, this is all very fantasy football, and in the years that Haaland is at City, for Alvarez to keep starting games he may need to continue to prove himself in a variety of roles.
City tend to play with a midfield three, with Rodri holding and two number eights ahead of him. So, would it be possible for Alvarez to fit into one of the advanced midfield roles?
His responsibilities would be the same, with his priority being to get the ball to Haaland and the wide players and making late runs into the box, like what Ilkay Gundogan has done at City for years.
With the City skipper looking like he could leave the Etihad this summer, Guardiola may not have to look too far for a replacement if the Argentina international could develop a level of composure showcased by Gundogan during his years at City.
Alvarez brings energy to any game and is a very underrated long-range passer. He would have to change his game a lot regarding added defensive responsibilities. However, with Haaland looking a long-term owner of the No.9 spot, this could be an option for Alvarez.
Playing on the wing could also be a viable option for Alvarez. He doesn’t possess an abundance of pace, but with his determination and world-class forward runs, he could grow into a valuable wide option for City.
Wherever Alvarez’s future is on the pitch for City, it is clear he is settled in Manchester. Things look bright for Alvarez and his City career.
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