Pep Guardiola has his say on Chelsea-linked Julián Álvarez
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has had his say on his unsettled Argentine forward, Julián Álvarez.
The 24-year-old reportedly wants away, citing a need for warmer weather and more game time as key reasons.
Speaking to Man City’s in-house media channel, Guardiola had this to say:
“I don’t think about replacing. I knew he [Álvarez] said he will think [sic] about it.
“Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain] and we will see what happens. I know he wants to play in important moments, but the other players [want that] too.
“We have 18 or 19 players who want to play in the important games. I read he has to think about it, so okay think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.”
Guardiola on Álvarez.
In his two seasons at the Etihad, the Argentina international has failed to nail down a guaranteed spot for himself in Guardiola’s starting XI, though he has delivered good numbers whenever called upon, producing 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 appearances for the Cityzens across all competitions.
At just 24, Álvarez has to his name, among other accolades, multiple Premier League and Copa América medals, having also won the UEFA Champions League in 2023 and the World Cup in 2022.
Currently having in place a £100k-per-week contract at City set to run until June 2028, Álvarez has been linked most prominently with moves to Chelsea and Atlético Madrid this summer.
At some point, Álvarez will have to move
When Álvarez arrived at City alongside Erling Haaland, many wondered about how many minutes he’d get at the Etihad, and while he has demonstrated himself to be much more flexible than the Norwegian, and quite honestly a better fit for Guardiola through and through, he’s at a club where guaranteed starting spots are hard to come by anyway, because you have world beaters all over the pitch.
It is understandable why Álvarez wants away, and at £60 million, he would actually be a steal for whomsoever manage to get him.
Still only 24, Álvarez has time on his side. If he doesn’t move this summer, who knows what happens during the next one? We can’t really say for sure that Haaland won’t eventually leave either. One thing is for sure, though: Álvarez is ready to lead a team from the front all by himself.
