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<p>Julian Álvarez arrived at <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> before a certain Norwegian striker. Yet, all the Citizens, and the rest of the Premier League, gave the acclaim to Erling Haaland. This is by no means a slight on Álvarez. Rather, Haaland provides major news worldwide.</p>
<p>Manchester City spent a fee around $17 million to River Plate in January 2022. The Sky Blues loaned the striker back to the Argentine side until July of this year.</p>
<p>With Álvarez up top, River Plate seemed unstoppable in the Argentine Primera División and in CONMEBOL competitions. <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/julian-alvarez/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/576024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This past season</a>, he played 17 domestic games. He scored 11 and assisted on four more. In one game in the Copa Libertadores, Álvarez scored six times against Peruvian side Alianza Lima.</p>
<h5>Pep’s perfect poacher</h5>
<p>Álvarez looked the ideal fit for a Pep Guardiola side with his movement, link up play, and finishing ability. At River, he played as a center-forward, a wide player and even filled in behind to dictate the attacking movements for the club.</p>
<p>Álvarez drew comparisons to Guardiola’s acquisition of Ferran Torres. Prior to Torres moving back to Spain with Barcelona, he moved into pockets of space and served as a creative outlet in build-up play. Plus, of course, Torres brought a goal threat, as does Álvarez.</p>
<p>With experience in the Argentinian national team, Álvarez already showed he is more than a future prospect signing for the Premier League side. He is a player of high quality and intelligence on the field. He began to catch more attention in 2021. Then, he scored 18 times in 21 games for River Plate in the Argentine Primera División. Previously showing his ability on the ball, he added that lethal goal threat to complete his full package.</p>
<p>A move to one of Europe’s top five leagues was inevitable. Arriving at one of the biggest clubs in the world showed his confidence to compete with the best.</p>
<h5>Filling the void at City</h5>
<p>With Sergio Aguero’s departure in January, Gabriel Jesus was the sole center-forward. Yet, he failed to hold down a starting place in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign. Since then, Jesus departed for EPL rivals <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>.</p>
<p>Now, Álvarez competes with Erling Haaland as the two recognized names up top at the Etihad.</p>
<p>Guardiola’s tactics showed last season that even without a recognized striker, Manchester City can still create and dominate teams. After all, City won its fourth Premier League in the past five seasons in 2021/22.</p>
<p>Entering the new campaign, Álvarez scored on his debut in the Community Shield against <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>. In Premier League play, he opened his Premier League account with a brace against Nottingham Forest, his first start under Pep Guardiola in a competitive fixture. Yet, most of Álvarez’s minutes in this infantile campaign came off the bench.</p>
<p>Despite Erling Haaland being the key to Manchester City’s attack, Julian Álvarez can still play a pivotal role in the side’s lofty ambitions.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"A moment ago it was a disaster because of the Community Shield" 😅</p>
<p>Pep Guardiola says he is delighted to be able to call upon Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez after their flying starts to their careers at <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/MCFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCFC</a> 🔵 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/phmjy6afo9">pic.twitter.com/phmjy6afo9</a></p>
<p>— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1565731526133686272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3>Julian Álvarez’s role at Manchester City</h3>
<p>In each of these appearances he has mostly played in the attacking midfield positions, often in wide areas. Guardiola has been keen to introduce him alongside Haaland rather than instead of.</p>
<p>This flexibility should allow Álvarez to continue to make an impact on their first team throughout the season. The way Manchester City play can take time to learn and often a bedding in period is necessary. Players like Jack Grealish, who arrived on a huge transfer figure, did not light up the league last season like he did while at Aston Villa. Guardiola has clear instructions for each player and how they fit into his strict system. This can force players to change and adapt how they play, and with so much information to take on, it can be hard to affect the game instantly.</p>
<p>Álvarez is showing that he is quickly learning his, and his teammates’, roles well. Manchester City showed last season its ability to play without a focal point. The side brought players from across the pitch into shooting opportunities rather than relying on one man up top.</p>
<p>Rodri Hernández often holds the more disciplined defensive role. Meanwhile, all other midfielders and wide players get roles to create goal-scoring opportunities. With his pace and ability to receive in tight areas, Álvarez suits these roles around the center-forward brilliantly.</p>
<p>Be it in the middle or out wide there will be opportunities for Álvarez to make his mark on the Premier League. While Lionel Messi leads the line for Argentina, Álvarez will know that a good start to the season will also push him higher up the pecking order across the front line when the World Cup in Qatar comes around.</p>
<p>Haaland is the big signing of the summer which has stolen all headlines, there’s no hiding from that. Julian Álvarez has arrived at City and is featuring similarly to Riyad Mahrez in position as well as minutes on the field. He could quite easily shine alongside Haaland rather than becoming lost in his shadow, it appears the opportunity is there for the taking.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport</em></p>


Julian Álvarez may not take the headlines at Manchester City with Erling Haaland around. Yet, the Argentine still has a part in City's goals.

Julian Álvarez can play a key role at Man City despite Haaland - World Soccer Talk

Julian Álvarez can play a key role at Man City despite Haaland

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<p>Pep Guardiola owns a monumental resumé of achievements earned during his time at Manchester City.</p>
<p>But, things are not happy go lucky at the Etihad, at least over the last couple of months and days. Guardiola made a statement on his future on the same day Harry Kane declared he would stay at Tottenham for another season. Kane’s announcement assured Guardiola and City supporters that the Premier League’s best striker over recent seasons would not join the Sky Blues.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“I would need a break after seven years [at City],”</em> Guardiola said at an XP Investimentos event.</p>
<p><em>“I need to stop and look around, learn from other coaches, and I might take [the international management] road.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Guardiola differs from the standard-mold of managers.</p>
<p>Instead of fighting through obstacles, he seeks exit when things get contentious. After three straight LaLiga titles, Barcelona finished second to Real Madrid in 2012. The Catalan ditched the Camp Nou instead of bringing Barcelona back to the top.</p>
<blockquote><p>&nbsp;<em>“Four years is an eternity as Barca coach,” </em>Guardiola said towards the end of that 2012 season.</p>
<p><em>“The main reason why I have taken this decision is because four years is many years,”&nbsp;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Tell that to Sir Alex Ferguson who managed Manchester United for 27 years. Or to Arsene Wenger who led Arsenal for 22 years and had to get fired before he left the club.</p>
<p>Those managers built their sides to be dominant for decades. Meanwhile, Guardiola seems to join previously successful teams before making his way out.</p>
<h3>Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich</h3>
<div id="attachment_343221" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-343221" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-343221 size-medium" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210826_WST_343214_Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona-300x201.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=201" alt="" width="300" height="201" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Barcelona.jpg 972w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-343221" class="wp-caption-text">Pep Guardiola established himself as one of Europe’s premier managers during his tenure at Barcelona.</p></div>
<p>Pep Guardiola decided to take his next job at Bayern Munich. The Bavarians announced Guardiola’s arrival on January 16, 2013.</p>
<p>That season, Die Roten ended up winning the treble. It seemed like the Bayern Munich board forced Jupp Heynckes out. They locked their minds on hiring whom many considered the best tactician in the game. However, how can you improve a team that has won everything?</p>
<p>Bayern continued their domestic dominance under the four-time La Liga Coach of the Year. They extended their streak of Bundesliga titles to four in a row by winning three-straight Meisterschalen. The streak is <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/bundesliga/erfolge/pokalwettbewerb/L1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">now at nine</a>.</p>
<p>Also, Bayern broke the points, goals-scored and goals-conceded records under Pep Guardiola.</p>
<p>In the Champions League, they lost three straight semifinals. Ironically, they were against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.</p>
<p>Perhaps the 2011 FIFA World Coach of the Year questioned his own tactics. With these clubs’ understanding his philosophies, Pep decided to make baffling decisions that backfired. Despite such great domestic success, domination in Europe eluded the manager.</p>
<p>Guardiola made it clear to Bayern Munich’s board that he would move on from the Allianz Arena.</p>
<h3>Controversial move to England</h3>
<p>During his last year in Germany, Manchester City announced that Guardiola would become their next manager.</p>
<p>In eerily similar fashion to Bayern and Jupp Heynckes, Manchester City seemed to be pushing Manuel Pellegrini out. With the former Barcelona captain available, clubs went out of their way to bring him in. Frustrated by the rumors, Pellegrini publicly addressed Guardiola’s arrival.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“They are not doing anything behind me,”</em> Pellegrini said at a press conference in February 2016. <em>“I knew this a month ago.” </em></p>
<p><em>“But, I don’t think it’s good, this rumor and speculation about different things. I would prefer to finish the speculation today.”</em></p></blockquote>
<div id="attachment_343224" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-343224" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-343224" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210826_WST_343214_Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-300x378.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=378" alt="" width="300" height="378" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-300x378.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-150x189.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City.jpg 338w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-343224" class="wp-caption-text">Pep Guardiola’s time at Manchester City is glittered with success. But, European domination avoids him.</p></div>
<p>Under the Olympic gold medalist, the Citizens have won three Premier League titles, three Carabao Cups and one FA Cup. In four seasons under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City won three Premier League titles. Moreover, the Citizens won England’s first domestic treble in 2019. Under Guardiola’s regime, Manchester City broke the league’s points and goals-scored records.</p>
<p>Last season, the club reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history. The trophy slipped from their grasp, losing to Chelsea, 1-0.</p>
<p>Reminiscent of his Champions League stumbles in Germany, pundits criticized Pep Guardiola’s decisions.</p>
<p>Guardiola elected to put the team-leader in goals, Ilkay Gundogan, in a holding midfield role. The traditional defensive midfielders of Fernandinho and Rodri started on the bench. Also, he did not start Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus, going with a false nine instead.</p>
<h3>Guardiola’s Next Move</h3>
<p>With two years remaining on the three-time Premier League Manager of the Season’s contract, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/25/guardiola-plans-to-quit-man-city-in-2023-eyes-national-team-job/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rumors of exit strategy surface</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“I would like to coach in a European Championship, a Copa America, a World Cup,”</em> said the three-time Premier League winner.</p></blockquote>
<p>It may be detrimental to the club during the recruitment process because players know that Pep will not be there past 2023.</p>
<p>Also, if things go wrong, he may step down next year. Perhaps, Pep Guardiola really needs a rest. Maybe he wants to learn some new approaches to the game, and that’s okay.</p>
<p>But, to some, it looks like he’s running away from the grind once again.</p>


Many consider Pep Guardiola to be a tactical mastermind. However, with exit rumors surfacing, is he avoiding more times of peril at his club?

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Julian Álvarez can play a key role at Man City despite Haaland

Leagues: EPL

Pep Guardiola seeking another untimely exit