"He Will Be At Manchester City For Many Years” - Pep Guardiola Lauds New Signing After Impressive Pre-Season Performances
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded the club’s new signing, Julián Álvarez in a recent interview.
Álvarez signed for City back in January in a £14 million deal from Argentinian side River Plate, but only linked up with Guardiola’s squad this summer.
The Argentine made his debut in a 2-1 friendly victory over Club América during City’s preseason tour of the United States, impressing with his dynamic passing.
After spending some weeks with the Argentine ahead of the 2022/23 season kicking off, Guardiola has heaped praise on his new forward.
Advert
"I think Julián Álvarez was an extraordinary signing. He will be at Manchester City for many years,” said Guardiola via ESPN, relayed by Albiceleste Talk on Twitter.
“Football is universal," he continued.
"Whoever is a scorer in Argentina, is as well in England. Whoever is a crook, is a crook in Argentina and England.”
"We said he's a fantastic boy and we were not wrong. He's absolutely a team player, he knows goals, the arch between eyebrow and eyebrow.
"We are going to take advantage of him, with work done by Marcelo Gallardo.”
Álvarez was in electric form for River Plate and often captured the eye of the South American crowds, leading to him winning the South American Footballer of the Year award.
The Argentine made 119 appearances for the club, scoring 53 goals and notching 31 assists.
Álvarez’s goals contributions were rewarded with the team winning the Argentine Primera División in 2021 as well as the Copa Argentina in 2018/19 and the Copa Libertadores in 2018.
Guardiola will hope his new forward will follow in the footsteps of previous high profile Argentinian attackers at the Etihad Stadium like club legend Sergio Agüero and Carlos Tevez in both impact and goal numbers.
Álvarez is set to line up in a brand new attack for City this season after the club also signed striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
The incoming pair replace Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling who, after long spells at the club, both departed City this summer for English rivals Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.
Oleksandr Zinchenko also made the switch to North London after six years at City, while Fernandinho left the club upon the expiry of his contract.
The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Marc Cucurella, but negotiations have seemingly hit a stumbling block.
Brighton value their star man at £50 million, whereas City want to pay a fee in the region of £40 million.
Topics: Manchester City, Julian Alvarez, Pep Guardiola, Premier League
Edward Burnett