Julian Alvarez celebrates his 24th birthday in just over a month, on January 31. His collection of titles is already impressive, but now he is set to add another trophy to it: the Club World Cup trophy. About a world champion in search of himself
The Champions League match in Leipzig at the beginning of October describes Julian Alvarez’s situation quite well. Not perfect, because he was initially on the bench there, although he usually plays from the start this season, but in a way it’s apt, because Alvarez can’t be pinned down to one role or one position.
But above all: because he scored. And how! From a standing start, in a rather awkward position with the ball, he quickly found a new body and foot position that allowed him to flick the ball into the net to make it 2-1 for the Sky Blues, five minutes after coming on as a substitute. He then served the ball ideally for Jeremy Doku to make it 3-1 in stoppage time
Alvarez’s problem is Haaland
Alvarez can be so many things: Center forward, which he actually is, winger, ten-man. Dangerous in the penalty area, but also on the counter-attack, although this is a rather rarer style at City. Alvarez’s problem, however, is Erling Haaland. Because when the Norwegian goal hunter is fit, there is of course no way around the 52-time goalscorer of the previous season. For a long time, this meant Alvarez had to play the role of the noble joker, as City coach Pep Guardiola does not envisage a double-header with the exception of a deficit shortly before the end or a clear lead.
When it comes to the coach, everyone knows that he is not only generous with his praise, but that it is sometimes misplaced, as was once the case with Rafinha or Dante at Bayern, because he praised them but ignored them at the same time. However, his words about Alvarez also seem objectively appropriate: “He is so confident in front of goal, he moves quickly and plays cleverly.”
Although – as the current slump of eight games without a goal in the league proves – he could certainly be more ruthless in front of goal. But all in all, the positive words for the Argentine are appropriate because he is so versatile. When a coach like Guardiola often deploys him in different positions, it’s not because he doesn’t know what to do with him, but because he praises the player for his versatility. That’s not just the case with Alvarez, but also with Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and John Stones.
In search of identity
This season, the man with the number 19 usually plays in the ten-man box. Directly behind Haaland or offset, depending on the system. Guardiola could have used other stars in the 4-2-3-1, which he usually plays until Kevin De Bruyne is back on board, but he usually chooses Alvarez because he can use his goal threat well from there, but also because he works well against the ball.
On the one hand, this variability is good for Alvarez, but it also means that he is searching for his own identity. It also means that he is compared to other players. With Haaland anyway, when he is missing and Alvarez remains goalless. But also in a positive sense: “He reminds me of Gabriel Jesus because of his work ethic, his aggression against the ball.” Says Guardiola. “He reminds me of Sergio Aguero.” Says Haaland. While these are compliments, Haaland himself has rarely been compared to anyone else due to his unique charisma and class.
Will the Club World Cup also end up in the trophy cabinet?
The Club World Cup is now on the agenda for City, who finished top of their group in the Champions League with a perfect 18 points but have lost touch with the leaders in the Premier League after just one three-pointer from their last six games. Alvarez has already been world champion with Argentina since December 2022, a feat that was integrated into a fabulous season in which he won the treble with City. Now he also wants to win a World Cup with his club, which is of course less important, but should not be missing from City’s stationery. At least that should be the ambition of the world’s most expensive squad.
Alvarez is not guaranteed a starting berth in Saudi Arabia given his recent lack of finishing, but he will at least come on as a wild card, perhaps even starting in his favorite position as a center forward should Haaland not be fit in time
Lionel Messi says of his national team colleague: “He helped us win the World Cup title in spectacular fashion.” In particular, he highlighted Alvarez’s performance after his brace in the semi-final against Croatia.
The man so praised, who first came to prominence in the 2018 Copa win with River against Boca but did not go on to win the Club World Cup, is more of a down-to-earth type, saying only: “I want to make the fans happy, with goals and assists.” Perhaps again this Tuesday against Urawa Red Diamonds. Alvarez himself is a diamond that could only sparkle even brighter from time to time
