Alan Hutton levelled a controversial criticism at Julian Alvarez and Manchester City recently, telling Football Insider that the 22-year-old may find it more ‘difficult’ to play under Pep Guardiola rather than for Argentina, but his comments don’t make a lot of sense.
Alvarez operated alongside Lionel Messi for the national team, pressing defenders and pulling players out of position with selfless running, but Hutton doesn’t think his style translates at City as they’re more possession-based than Argentina.
He said: “Man City play a completely different way – ball possession (and) trying to make things happen out on the wings. Haaland is going to play, that is the most difficult thing for him.” Guardiola has played Alvarez alongside Haaland 11 times (305 minutes) this season, so he clearly disagrees with Hutton.
The 22-year-old, who boasts seven goals with two assists from 890 minutes of football, has operated out wide plenty for City and has the levels of industry Pep likes in a striker, so Hutton’s criticism makes little sense.
Gabriel Jesus was a versatile forward who could turnover possession and occupy a wide role before City sold him to Arsenal, so versatile attackers have always caught Guardiola’s eye.
Alvarez is enjoying a great campaign for club and country, so he has little to worry about despite the criticism.
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