Manchester City signed Julian Alvarez from River Plate in January and loaned the 22-year-old back to his former club for the remainder of the campaign, but Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News says they’re going to keep him in the first-team next season after being impressed with what they’ve seen in the last five months.
Alvarez scored 14 goals with four assists from 17 games across the board in 2022 and featured three times for the Argentine national team. The 22-year-old came off the bench in their UEFA Cup of Champions win over Italy too, so he looks to have a bright future for club and country.
Pep Guardiola is definitely making the right decision to work with Alvarez next season rather than loaning him out again. And although Erling Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund could hamper his chances of getting extended playing time, Alvarez is a talent in his own right and can play anywhere across the front three.
The 22-year-old scored 50 goals with 29 assists in 113 games for River, so he comes to the Etihad with the reputation of being a prolific goalscorer and good creator. Guardiola gave minutes to 10 of City’s teenagers this season, so young talent doesn’t get ignored.
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