Free-scoring Manchester City are the prime contenders for this season’s Premier League silverware even though they failed to land hitman Harry Kane back in the summer. Gabriel Jesus has mostly been utilized sporadically in recent months, that too down the wide irrespective of his ‘number 9’ status donning the Selecao colours. Meanwhile, they roped in River Plate’s Julián Álvarez on the winter deadline before loaning him back to his boyhood side.
The 22-year-old Argentina international is enjoying a boisterous run in front of goal as he fired in 24 goals and laid on 15 more last season in all competitions. Alvarez was pivotal in Los Millonarios’ 2021 Primera División triumph and Pep Guardiola is keen to have him for pre-season once the current campaign concludes.
“There is a fundamental question: we believe that he is a player for us. Julian smells like a goal and goals are worth money. At City, they saw him as an opportunity for the future, in the next pre-season he will be with us.”
The Spaniard said to Ole in a recent interview. The Skyblues splashed a fee of around £14m for the Argentine and his impressive scoring form so far this term might see him staking a claim in Guardiola’s plans. He is often compared with City legend Sergio Aguero for his poaching traits and the marksman revealed how he takes these words as a compliment.
Why Álvarez Might Not Get Instant Minutes In Manchester City Attack
Meanwhile, Manchester City have adjusted well without an outright striking option in their ranks. The manager has banked on the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva as ‘False 9’s with Jesus mostly featuring as a right-winger when deployed. Álvarez, also capable of featuring from the wide, should do well in the blue half of Manchester given his flexibility across the frontline.
Having said that, the Citizens are likely to continue their spending spree in the upcoming window. A high-profile ‘number 9’ remains the priority amid Erling Haaland rumours, also the revival of interest in Kane can’t be ruled out either. The English talisman scored twice at the Etihad including the injury-time winner three weeks ago and an eminent addition high up the pitch would limit the Albiceleste forward’s minutes if he is retained by Guardiola beyond summer.
The youngster would struggle initially to attune to the grind and demand of English football and therefore, must raise his game to find a place in the star-studded City attack. It remains to be seen though how quickly he settles in Europe after proving his worth in Buenos Aires.
