19 | Julian Alvarez - 2022/23

[Tricky_Trev]

Oh yeah we can’t allow Akanji or Ederson to be higher in the pecking order either…

Alvarez can literally play anywhere in the front 3 though, so no need to be facetious. If we want to just let Alvarez be a backup striker to Haaland and ONLY that, then we can kiss goodbye to him within a few years. We’ll need to use him from a wider position, or change formation and play him behind Haaland. But that affects KDB quite a bit, unless we go with a back 3. But these are the conversations Pep and his coaching staff will be having. Alvarez can’t be ignored.

 

[Mancityus]

Crazy to think we signed the best young striker in the world and Erling Haaland in one window

It will be even more crazy when we lose him in few years because we cannot find him a place in starting eleven in front of Grealish, Foden and Mahrez.

 

[Cityfan]

If he plays 66 minutes (or more) in the World Cup final, he will have had more minutes in the World Cup for Argentina than he’s had in the Premier League for City. We need to use him more. Grealish and Mahrez cannot be allowed to be higher in the pecking order any more.

He's a wonderful footballer but he has not had a break for over a year now and must be going on adrenaline just now, don't be surprised if he has a bit of a come down after this tournament.
I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks out in the premier League next season rather than the second half of this season.

 

[bluealf]

It will be even more crazy when we lose him in few years because we cannot find him a place in starting eleven in front of Grealish, Foden and Mahrez.

Foden?

Some City fans are just weird as fuck.

 

[bluealf]

He's a wonderful footballer but he has not had a break for over a year now and must be going on adrenaline just now, don't be surprised if he has a bit of a come down after this tournament.
I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks out in the premier League next season rather than the second half of this season.

Surely he has had a huge rest by barely playing for us all season, somebody said if he plays 66mins in the final he will have played more minutes the WC than for us in the PL

 

[waspish]

If he plays 66 minutes (or more) in the World Cup final, he will have had more minutes in the World Cup for Argentina than he’s had in the Premier League for City. We need to use him more. Grealish and Mahrez cannot be allowed to be higher in the pecking order any more.

Think it be next season he will play a lot more just because pep knows the amount of football this lad has played

 

[Tricky_Trev]

 

[Blu3m00n91]

I wanna see it

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

View attachment 63464
I wanna see it

Ding Ding Ding.

4 - 4 - 2

We've not seen that in a long time!

 

[Tricky_Trev]

View attachment 63464
I wanna see it

I reckon Cancelo plays almost as a winger in possession to allow Alvarez to move more central and closer to Haaland from a wide starting position. We always play a front 5 when we’re in sustained attack, so that 5 would be something like Cancelo - Alvarez - Haaland - KDB - Foden

With one of Laporte/Ake for balance, plus two of Stones/Dias/Akanji/Walker, plus Rodri and Bernardo.

In the usual 3-2-5 formation, or 2-3-5 as we seem to do more often this season.

 

[Phil1]

I must be the only one just happy he's with us and looking forward to how his development goes without having to point out he's better than so and so and should be staring every week.
I'm sure there will he a time when he's starting most weeks, let's just wait and see what happens in the meantime.

 

[CambridgeExileBlue]

All the news is about Messi and not much on Alvarez at all despite him scoring 2 goals and winning the penalty….

 

[yankblue]

It will be even more crazy when we lose him in few years because we cannot find him a place in starting eleven in front of Grealish, Foden and Mahrez.

What a strange comment

 

[kupest]

Julian Alvarez has become the youngest player to score twice in a World Cup semi-final or final since Pelé in 1958.

 

[River Plate]

What amazes me is how he's able to run non-stop all game long and not lose one bit of leg strength for those cracking finishes.

 

[Mike N]

MOTM for me.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

5 - Messi
5 - Mbappe
4 - Alvarez
4 - Giroud

Alvarez would be leading the race for the Golden Boot if he’d started the tournament in their starting 11 instead of Lautaro Martinez. He still might win it….

 

[Craig]

5 - Messi
5 - Mbappe
4 - Alvarez
4 - Giroud

Alvarez would be leading the race for the Golden Boot if he’d started the tournament in their starting 11 instead of Lautaro Martinez. He still might win it….

Or even if he’d stayed on against Australia when Messi kept putting them on a plate for Martinez

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Alvarez would be leading the race for the Golden Boot if he’d started the tournament in their starting 11 instead of Lautaro Martinez.

Or was a penalty taker

 

[Cityfan]

Surely he has had a huge rest by barely playing for us all season, somebody said if he plays 66mins in the final he will have played more minutes the WC than for us in the PL

Fatigue is as much mental as physical.
All the time he has been with us he has been adjusting to a new country a new language, new team mates, new ways of training etc.

His training intensity will have been high he has had to concentrate on tactical plans if used as a substitute.
Do not underestimate what he has been through and achieved already.
I am not predicting with assurance what will happen but it would not surprise me at all if mental fatigue is a problem for him for a significant time after the world cup.