Pep Guardiola has told Manchester United they should name a stand after new chief executive Omar Berrada if he manages to turn the club back into a major force on his own.
10.01.2024 - 13:58 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
First, Julian Alvarez stepped in to fill the considerable shoes of Kevin De Bruyne, and then he was needed to replace the goals of Erling Haaland. With both De Bruyne and Haaland returning, Manchester City are World Champions and have the Premier League title in their own hands.
Phil Foden is getting the plaudits for his exceptional form at number ten - but Alvarez has arguably been City's more important deputy. To be able to ease the burden of De Bruyne's loss, and then Haaland's, is no mean feat. They are not only the best two players at City, but arguably the best two players in the world.
It's noticeable that Alvarez has adapted his game whether at number nine or ten, acting as City's world-class chameleon for the first half of the season. He may lose his place when everyone is fit, but has already played a key part in getting the Blues through their injury crisis in 2023.
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At the start of the season, Pep Guardiola praised Alvarez for his ability to stay close to Haaland at the top of midfield in De Bruyne's absence. He wouldn't play the defence-splitting passes for Haaland like De Bruyne would, but he was effective in the pockets behind Haaland to slip in a through-ball, or occupy the centre-backs so Haaland could work the space.
As the number ten, or second striker, Alvarez has seven goals and seven assists this season from 19 appearances. He helped bridge the gap between midfield and attack that De Bruyne did so well with his driving runs and searching passes - but with positioning and interceptions.
Then, when Haaland was injured last
Pep Guardiola has told Manchester United they should name a stand after new chief executive Omar Berrada if he manages to turn the club back into a major force on his own.
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