19 | Julian Alvarez - 2023/24

Status
Not open for further replies.
D'Silva said:
I have the same sentiment. He's played himself well as the match went on like in the previous matches. I'm glad he is becoming more involved and making a bigger contribution. Anyone who thinks he played poor here has to be wumming.
Click to expand...
Thought he was great today and my MotM.

A few loose passes in the first half but he was in good company in that regard, but he drove the team forward in the second half and created more space for Haaland.

Great run for the penalty as well and he’s definitely growing into the role.
 
balotelli's back pocket said:
You're absolutely spot on with the Müller comparison. Sometimes he looks a level below our standard in terms of touch, technical ability, passing etc. But he's intelligent, he picks up brilliant positions, he works hard, he consistently gets into scoring positions or fashions chances for others. His numbers speak for themselves.

Does he get in our best eleven, when everyone's fit? Not yet, in my opinion. But he's hopefully going to polish his game, and work on his weaknesses. So I think he'll be hugely important for us long into the future.
Click to expand...

Spot on post this.
 
shroom said:
whoscored ranked him 3rd best, sofascore ranked him 2nd best, his heat map leaned slightly left but was wonderfully balanced across the attacking half - he was a match winner today and he's getting crap, crazy

yeah, he blew 2 passes to Phil in transition - you know, kinda like KDB or any risk taker does every match
Click to expand...
Scored, made the penalty, and unfortunate that the Haaland pass won't be an assist.

The only problem with his risk taking passes, is that today we had Haaland, Foden, Doku and Alvarez, who were all taking risks. In the first half it was a definite problem.
 
Think he's playing fine. My only gripe is that he doesn't have the 'la pausa' that Pep constantly uses against Phil playing where Julian is either. He's constantly turning the ball over yet is seemingly the first choice there.
 
TrentGrisham said:
Think he's playing fine. My only gripe is that he doesn't have the 'la pausa' that Pep uses against Phil playing where Julian is either. He's constantly turning the ball over yet is seemingly the first choice there.
Click to expand...
Very true-second half suited him when the game opened up. He's such a brilliant runner with the ball through the centre of the pitch.
 
Obviously Haaland is a killer so we have to start him in big games but think Hoolian, like Grealish, would really shine in big matches that are more open and allow him to really show his best attributes off.
 
TrentGrisham said:
Think he's playing fine. My only gripe is that he doesn't have the 'la pausa' that Pep constantly uses against Phil playing where Julian is either. He's constantly turning the ball over yet is seemingly the first choice there.
Click to expand...
You know who doesnt have la pausa?

Kevin de bruyne.

Think he has been fine as the #10 in our team.

Kevin's midfield partner usually has it though (David, then Gundogan).

And Alvarez' partner should be Foden who is the best partner to him in that role.
 
WallyA said:
You know who doesnt have la pausa?

Kevin de bruyne.

Think he has been fine as the #10 in our team.

Kevin's midfield partner usually has it though (David, then Gundogan).

And Alvarez' partner should be Foden who is the best partner to him in that role.
Click to expand...
My point is Foden has waited years to play there because he's apparently lacking this but Alvarez is in his second season and is now seemingly the first choice all while shoehorning Phil out on the wing.
 
TrentGrisham said:
My point is Foden has waited years to play there because he's apparently lacking this but Alvarez is in his second season and is now seemingly the first choice all while shoehorning Phil out on the wing.
Click to expand...
Thats just because Foden is versatile.

Alvarez is not suited to the wing, while Foden is so if you need to play both players there really is no decision, right?

Now the best thing is to just play both in the middle which is what essentially happened 2nd half as Foden was like a false winger.

Julian has that "goal out of nowhere" quality that kevin has. You cant drop him.
 
WallyA said:
Julian has that "goal out of nowhere" quality that kevin has. You cant drop him.
Click to expand...
Their underlying goal numbers are almost identical. Foden is even outperforming his xG to a better extent than Julian... but Foden's goal and shot creation numbers are more than double what Alvarez's are per 90. Alvarez's defensive numbers are better but not staggeringly so.

I love Pep and his numbers speak for themselves but I do think he treats Phil differently than others because he knows that he's a team player/City fan/academy product, etc., and is not going to kick up a fuss about things that others might.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2023-09-02 at 7.28.00 PM.png
    Screenshot 2023-09-02 at 7.28.00 PM.png
    513.7 KB · Views: 24
TrentGrisham said:
Their underlying goal numbers are almost identical. Foden is even outperforming his xG to a better extent than Julian... but Foden's goal and shot creation numbers are more than double what Alvarez's are per 90. Alvarez's defensive numbers are better but not staggeringly so.

I love Pep and his numbers speak for themselves but I do think he treats Phil differently than others because he knows that he's a team player/City fan/academy product, etc., and is not going to kick up a fuss about things that others might.
Click to expand...
Those number comparisons are nice, but like I said in my reply, Foden is more versatile and Alvarez isnt.

So if you play both, ideally both in the centre, if not, Foden is the one you play slightly out of position because he is versatile.

Also on the goals, while similar, from the eye test, Alvarez definitely has that long distance goal quality that kevin has, a little moreso than Foden imo.

At the end of the day, this team is best right now when BOTH play behind Haaland as we saw in the 2nd half, and Kovacic playing below them.
 
Really don't like him and Haaland in the same 11,and a number 10 he is not.

I guess a lack of numbers/options is currently forcing Pep's hand somewhat though.
 
FantasyIreland said:
Really don't like him and Haaland in the same 11,and a number 10 he is not.

I guess a lack of numbers/options is currently forcing Pep's hand somewhat though.
Click to expand...
Do you honestly seriously think pep is playing him because of necessity rather than because of his MotM performances?
 
D'Silva said:
I have the same sentiment. He's played himself well as the match went on like in the previous matches. I'm glad he is becoming more involved and making a bigger contribution. Anyone who thinks he played poor here has to be wumming.
Click to expand...
Like this boy
 
Keeper! said:
The guy has been outstanding from day one.

Always a goal threat, providing assists and his selfless workrate for the team is incredible.

Undroppable at this moment and a huge part of the squad.
Click to expand...
I love the lad,but i think we play better,and with more fluid,with a no.10.
 
One thing he needs to do is to get his head up more when picking a square pass in midfield. Defenders are wise to this and set to intercept.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top