19 | Julian Alvarez - 2022/23

[OB1]

Told posters to curb their enthusiasm about this one. He would prove to be a decent signing but not an improvement on Jesus as some had previously suggested.

You have no idea if he will ultimately be an improvement on Gabby.

 

[OB1]

Tough game today: very hard for centre forwards when the oppostion play so deep in so many numbers.

 

[Ajm1985]

He made a lot of runs in behind in the first half but either the pass was poor, he wasn’t found at all, or he was flagged offside (which looked tight on the replay)

He was onside and could have done better but yeah, very few decent passes to him. The floated crosses to him were winding me up as well

 

[oldius]

He made a lot of runs in behind in the first half but either the pass was poor, he wasn’t found at all, or he was flagged offside (which looked tight on the replay)

Bang on.

 

[Dodgy Gangster]

Told posters to curb their enthusiasm about this one. He would prove to be a decent signing but not an improvement on Jesus as some had previously suggested.

Agree with this. He’s not shown very much at all. He’s got a lot of improving to do to get anywhere near Jesus’ level.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Did everything asked of him. Good movement, worked harder than most off the ball, was never getting the space with their set up and didn't get a single bit of service from the wings. Couldn't have performed any better, just wasn't a game for a striker today.

 

[dhruvblue]

People are reacting as if Jesus played great every game. Dude whined on his a lot. And we shouldn't judge him based on first season performance

 

[FantasyIreland]

Our style of isn't exactly conducive with his....but he is a very good player with huge heart and desire.I'm sure it will work out just fine.

 

[K-Bo]

Struggling in last few games

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Invisible today really. If he’s getting starts for a team who wants to win the league he needs to do a lot more than that, otherwise we’d be better off with another midfielder on and going ‘false 9’ with one of them.

 

[Shaffer92]

Looks a bit out of his depth currently. I do wonder if he'll be out on loan next season.

 

[WallyA]

Similar to Haaland, he also struggles against a back 3, remember Haaland didn't score against Bournemouth.

Unfortunately Haaland tends to have CBs completely gravitate towards him leaving space for others, and Alvarez doesn't quite have that gravitational pull, and/or the others didn't really make use of space provided as much as they could.

Not really a game I'd judge him on, I don't really see his future as a full 9 anyways.

If the intention in this game was to have him as a false 9, well that doesn't really work with Grealish and Bernie who are control wingers, false 9s needs fast wingers to make runs behind otherwise its a useless tactic. It's also completely pointless when a team sits back because we don't need more numbers in midfield.

He seems best when playing off of an actual striker where he can then find space better, in terms of his future role.

Aguero is obviously the greatest striker we ever had, and was amazing as a lone striker, but I always felt you saw his full arsenal when he was paired with another striker like Dzeko. Alvarez is similar to that for me.

Whether that benefits the other striker (Haaland or Dzeko) to their max strengths, I'm not sure.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

If he was full of confidence he'd have buried that chance in the first half.

But he's just settling in at the moment so there's no point judging him too harshly.

 

[WestGorton]

He made a lot of runs in behind in the first half but either the pass was poor, he wasn’t found at all, or he was flagged offside (which looked tight on the replay)

He did well in the first half if you understand football.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Looks a bit out of his depth currently. I do wonder if he'll be out on loan next season.

It’s very Jesus-esque what we are seeing; you could see his natural ability first half dozen games he was involved; however this is Pep developing another side to his game which will unfortunately make him look naïve for a while…

I love Pep and his ethos for the collective team but he is always going to be risk averse over expression with players like Alverez

 

[shroom]

He seems best when playing off of an actual striker where he can then find space better, in terms of his future role.

From following him all last Spring, the conventional wisdom among River Plate fans was that Julian was best used with another striker. Injury problems forced Gallardo to isolate him at striker several times tho and he struggled to affect matches.

 

[super_city_si]

Theres a player there for sure. Young lad in a new league half the world away. Not expecting anything substantial from him this season.

 

[skillman]

Feel sorry for him, the games he’s being put into are tough for any striker IMO. It’s only really Haaland and his elongated legs who can make something happen out of nothing.

Think Alvarez will be just fine, can’t wait to see him thrive. And can’t wait to see his next thunderbastard shot.

 

[WallyA]

If Haaland continues to be rested or is still injured, I do wonder if Pep should try the 442 double false 9 with Foden and Alvarez up top.

Playing either alone at top will make them feel a bit isolated, but as partners together, perhaps a better chance to be more involved in attacking and finding space off each other.


------------Foden------Alvarez
Grealish---Rodri-----Bernie------Palmer

Something like this could work, it also lets us rest KdB who is playing alot as well.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

If he was full of confidence he'd have buried that chance in the first half.

But he's just settling in at the moment so there's no point judging him too harshly.

He isn’t playing enough. Needs to start v Seville and Chelsea.