The most unfair thing about collective sports, and thus football, is that you do not only depend on your talent or your level, but on the person you are competing against in your position.
Yaya Touré was forced to leave FC Barcelona as a result of the eruption of Sergio Busquets, who would dominate the midfield throughout the following decade. Thiago Alcántara, whose competition were Xavi and Iniesta, also had to flee from Barcelona to Múnich to develop as a player. It looked like history would repeat itself with Julián Álvarez and Manchester City.
Last year, Julián Álvarez was relegated to the bench as he had to share ‘his position’ with Erling Haaland, who broke all European records when it comes to scoring goals (except for Messi and Cristiano), and it seemed like the Argentinian would have to end up leaving the team managed by Guardiola to achieve his full potential.
But ‘The Spider’ showed his superhero facet by taking one for the team and adapting to his new role. The key to his stellar appearance in which he has become one of the best players on the team? The injury of the greatest offensive centerpiece at creating chances for the citizen side, Kevin de Bruyne.
With the injury of the Belgian and the departure of Gündogan, Julián Álvarez had to take a step back, forget about the first line of attack and position himself further away from the goal, almost like a midfielder in a team that cannot afford that luxury due to their domination of the opponent and the way they prevent them from running. From the center of the pitch, he brings a lot of creativity to Guardiola’s team in the last third.
¿How many players can play striker for the World Cup champion and midfielder for the best team in the world?
According to data collected by the site FBref, Julián stands out from the attackers of European football at bringing the ball up the pitch (he is better than 90% of the players in his position) as he starts form a position that grants him more space to go forwards, in pressing duties as a result of his physical presence and everything that has to do with passing and creating chances thaks to his wonderful last touch, that allows him to feed the never-ending hunger for goals of Erling Haaland.
But against other midfielders, he shines for what matters the most about a player: his evident relationship with goals. This is not insignificant data, as he has already participated in 11 goals (six goals and five assists) in his first 13 games for Manchester City this season, better numbers than Erling Haaland (eight goals and two assists).
The former River player has completed, even further, a team that already seemed perfect, and Guardiola has found the perfect way to replace De Bruyne and boost one of the players with the most potential in his roster.
The only downside to this is: What will happen when City’s number ’17’ returns? How will Guardiola adapt the lineup to fit the Norwegian, the Belgian and the Argentinian in a favorable context?
When that time comes around, we will see what the solution will be, but for now, there is no doubt that Julián has turned his doubters into believers.
‘The Spider’ will sting many rivals and break lots of nets this season.
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: @ManCityES.
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