When you think of South American players who move to big clubs in the Premier League, it’s quite usual that most of them need a period of adaptation, which many times results in loans or some time on the bench.
That wasn’t the case with Julian Alvarez, though. Since joining Manchester City in a move from River Plate in the summer of 2022, the player became an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side, and already has 62 appearances for the English club.
That’s the reason Argentina legend Mario Kempes has some big compliments for him. Quoted by Perfil, the former national team star spoke to D Sports and talked about how much of a star the 23-year-old has become.
“Normally, when you get a player this young, you normally loan him out to another team so he can get a bit of pace at England level. He’s had such an impact that he’s really shut a lot of people’s mouths.
“They said ‘he comes to River, a striker, a very good striker, but in England it’s totally different’; but he came to England, he triumphed and he shut the mouths of many who didn’t believe in him”.
Alvarez’s recent success wasn’t only at Manchester City. The striker was also a starter in most of Argentina’s World Cup campaign. Kempes talked about what has given him that status, as the striker is set to hold his place with the national team.
“Lautaro is a great player, but he didn’t hit the target. And a goalscorer who doesn’t hit it is still an important player, but not at the moment of truth. Julian came on, Scaloni gave him a chance and started to score goals.
“He’s a very restless player, who covers all the opposition’s outlet. He gets on perfectly with Messi… He came on at a good time for him and he’s earned his place.”
Featuring for Manchester City, Julian Alvarez has 23 goals and 10 assists in 62 games so far. His record for Argentina isn’t bad either, with seven goals in 24 caps.
…and a World Cup trophy.
