Manchester City Face Major Julian Alvarez Dilemma Ahead of Next Season: Balancing Squad Depth and Player Development
Manchester City Faces Julian Alvarez Dilemma for Next Season
A large portion of Manchester City’s squad is set to participate in an international tournament this summer, but Julian Alvarez is expected to take part in two.
During Manchester City’s match against Nottingham Forest, Julian Alvarez was challenged by Morgan Gibbs-White.
During Manchester City’s match against Nottingham Forest, Julian Alvarez was challenged by Morgan Gibbs-White.
This summer, most football enthusiasts will shift their attention from the Premier League to the European Championship.
However, Manchester City will also be focusing on two other significant tournaments, both involving Julian Alvarez. While the majority of the squad heads to Germany, Alvarez will travel to the United States for the Copa America.
This event could coincide closely with Pep Guardiola’s plans for the pre-season tour in July. Argentina, the reigning champions, will compete in the Copa America from June 20 to July 14, aiming for a deep run, which would leave Alvarez with little to no time for rest.
The group stage concludes on July 30, followed by knockout rounds on August 2, 5, and 8/9. Concurrently, City will face Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10, just days before the Premier League kicks off again.
Guardiola prefers his players to have a minimum of three weeks off during the summer, opting for a potentially underprepared start rather than risking player burnout. However, Alvarez’s participation in both the Copa America and the Olympics would eliminate any rest period, necessitating his absence from City’s first three weeks of the season.
Celebrations as thousands of Man City fans throng the streets for a victory parade.
Alvarez, typically more resilient than some of his teammates, would still be at risk of exhaustion with such a packed schedule. The upcoming season’s extensive fixture list, including the extended Club World Cup, underscores the need for adequate rest.
City is reluctant to prevent players from pursuing international duties. Lionel Messi expressed immense gratitude to incoming Barcelona coach Guardiola in 2008 for allowing him to compete and win gold with Argentina at the Beijing Olympics. A content Alvarez throughout the season is preferable to a fatigued one from the start.
Nevertheless, this situation adds to City’s strategic challenges as they prepare for a longer, more demanding season. With Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva being the only forwards featuring more frequently than Alvarez last season, alternative solutions will be needed to manage his potential absence in August.
