Pepe Guardiola has explained how Julian Alvarez has been able to adapt so quickly to life at Manchester City.
Although Alvarez — who arrived at City this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan in Argentina — has started just one of City's six Premier League matches this term, the Argentine striker has impressed supporters and Guardiola alike with his performances.
The 22-year-old changed the dynamic of the 4-2 comeback win against Crystal Palace, and then scored a superb brace when he was promoted to the starting line-up a few days later against Nottingham Forest. Guardiola has mentioned on numerous occasions how surprised he and his coaching staff are by the quality of Alvarez and how quickly he has settled into the team, given the quality difference between Argentine football and the Premier League.
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Speaking ahead of City's Champions League tie with Sevilla, Guardiola hinted at why Alvarez has been able to impress despite the pressure of moving to an elite team thousands of miles from home.
"I think that these players who come from a team like River Plate, where they give you the obligation to win, win, win and win, they come well educated about what pressure is," Guardiola said.
"There is pressure here but I don't know if there is more in Manchester than in Argentina . I haven't been to Buenos Aires, I don't know what it's like at Boca or River, but I sense that there is [pressure]. The important thing is that he gets along well.
The City boss has been so impressed with his new attacker that he said Alvarez is unlucky not to be a regular starter at the club already.
He added: "I have the impression that if Erling [Haaland] were not there, Julian would probably be the first option with a lot of minutes and he would accept it well.
"Normally I play with a striker and sometimes it's hard for them to get in, because Erling is very strong now, but like against Crystal Palace there are many days that I play with two strikers. Julian is a player that we are all very surprised by his level and his training sessions and how little he has played."
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