Julian Alvarez scored his first goals as a Manchester City player as he netted an impressive hat-trick for River Plate on Wednesday.
28.01.2022 - 16:13 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Football has a way of shaping a player’s whole career with simple twists of fate.
Manchester City ’s latest signing Julian Alvarez - still awaiting the finishing touches to a reported £17.9million deal - made his big breakthrough when three senior River Plate strikers were all injured at the same time.
He stepped in, as an 18-year-old, started scoring, and has not looked back since. He earned another cap for Argentina last night, and the intimidatory treatment dished out by Chile players as he simply trotted onto the field spoke volumes about how much of a threat he is.
The game is littered with players who got their break via others’ misfortunes.
Liam Delap might have been forgiven for thinking that his big opportunity was opening up last summer until the cold fickleness of the football fates slapped him in the face.
The 18-year-old — he turns 19 next week — ended last season with a new Premier League 2 goalscoring record in his pocket, his senior debut under his belt, and with his Premier League debut and first senior goal, a spectacular strike against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, also filed away in the memory banks.
His exploits as a big, strong, bustling striker with a dreamy touch, turn of pace and an uncanny eye for goal, backed up by self-belief that he will always score, had also persuaded Pep Guardiola that the time was ripe to move him up into the first-team squad.
With Sergio Aguero bidding a tearful farewell to the Etihad Stadium, and City finding it increasingly difficult to find a replacement - with Erling Haaland not on the table and Spurs digging in their heels over Harry Kane, it felt like Delap would get a chance.
Gabriel Jesus’ migration from being the long-term replacement for Aguero — he was
Julian Alvarez scored his first goals as a Manchester City player as he netted an impressive hat-trick for River Plate on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola says Gabriel Jesus is “the best in the world” at defending from the front.
Pep Guardiola says January signing Julian Alvarez is good enough to join the Manchester City squad this month, but the club decided he would be better remaining at River Plate on loan.
Manchester City fans have made it very clear they want the club to still sign Erling Haaland despite the arrival of Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City are looking to snatch Borussia Dortmund talisman Erling Haaland from beneath the noses of 'frontrunners' Real Madrid, according to reports.
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Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have been warned that their spots in the Manchester City team could be at risk when Julian Alvarez arrives at the club.
The January transfer window might be closed, but rumours are never far away when it comes to Manchester City.
Manchester City agreed four deals in January to complete a prospective squad for the 2025/26 season, with half a starting XI already under contract for the following year.
Another transfer window has ended with little fanfare from Manchester City.
Manchester City intend to welcome Julian Alvarez to the Etihad in July, his agent has confirmed, but River Plate have hinted they will 'do everything' to keep him on loan beyond then.
River Plate fans have expressed their disappointment at the news that last season's top goalscorer Julian Alvarez will become a Manchester City player at the end of the season.
Boca Juniors hero Dario Felman insists that Julian Alvarez is the 'perfect signing' for Manchester City after the Argentina international forward sealed his move to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City believe they have landed one of the top young talents in South American football after completing a deal for Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Argentina international Julian Alvarez.
The little town of Calchin is lost in the vastness of the Pampas, the great grasslands that feeds the people of Argentina’s cities.
Manchester City have completed the signing of South American Footballer of the Year Julian Alvarez for a fee of around £14million.
Julian Alvarez is the most high-profile piece of transfer business left for Manchester City to conclude in the January window.
River Plate president Jorge Brito has confirmed that striker Julian Alvarez will be joining Manchester City, insisting it is a "done deal."
Dusan Vlahovic has broken silence on his January switch to Juventus amid 'interest' from Manchester City.