The Argentine striker, Julián Álvarez, has decided to step out of Erling Haaland’s shadow and seek new challenges.
To secure the 24-year-old centre-forward, Atlético Madrid splashed out an incredible €75 million.
Do you think Álvarez made the right choice? And what about Atlético Madrid?
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Julián Álvarez’s Career
The Argentine has been a well-known figure in the football world from a young age.
Born in 2000, Álvarez is no stranger to success.
Despite his young age, he can boast of winning it all.
Yes, that’s right.
Coming through the ranks of River Plate, he was part of a golden generation of the renowned Argentine club.
After breaking into the first team, he played a key role in their victorious Copa Libertadores campaign in 2018, the most prestigious honour for a South American club and the second most important club competition in the world.
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On the domestic front, River Plate dominated. They were champions of the league, the national cup, and the Supercup.
Álvarez moved from one of the most competitive teams in the Americas to join one of the most competitive in Europe.
At Manchester City, every trophy up for grabs was secured. From the long-coveted Champions League to two Premier League titles, the League Cup, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
As if that weren’t enough, his country, one of the most storied in football history, was enduring a barren spell with their national team.
Having not won anything since 1993, Argentina, captained by Messi, finally rediscovered the path to glory.
Julián was present in all of their recent triumphs. The two Copa América titles, the World Cup, and the Finalissima.
This gives him an enviable CV.
It’s worth noting that, contrary to what many might think, he was a crucial figure in many of these triumphs, despite his young age.
However, at Manchester City, the man he competes with for a place in the starting XI is one of the most sought-after players in the world right now.
A natural-born goalscorer, Erling Haaland is the dream signing for most of the top clubs around the world, especially for his extraordinary ability to consistently deliver an average of 45 goals per season.
Last season, even though his performance was slightly below expectations, he still managed to find the back of the net 38 times in 45 appearances.
So, when Atlético Madrid’s multi-million euro offer arrived at Manchester City and Julián Álvarez’s doorstep, the response was positive.
What are the chances of Álvarez thriving at Atlético Madrid?
Image: Getty Images
Was money the main factor?
Julián Álvarez has always seemed to be a very grounded and focused young man, driven by both individual and team success.
This is reflected in all his achievements mentioned above and his outstanding performances.
However, since arriving in Europe, he hasn’t managed to establish himself as an undisputed starter in his team, nor as the main protagonist.
In a team with Haaland, De Bruyne, Rodri, and so many other stars, being the main man is almost an impossible task.
Even so, he gave his all on the pitch whenever he played, aiming to maximise the quality of his teammates.
Given this, it’s not hard to believe that financial reasons weren’t the primary factor in his move to Spain.
Especially considering the player has a market value of €90 million, higher than his transfer fee, which is unusual for a young player leaving the Premier League.
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Therefore, it seems clear that Julián Álvarez is looking to play a central role in a top European team.
It’s impossible not to draw a parallel with Neymar Jr’s situation when he left Barcelona to join PSG.
Of course, the footballing styles of the two players are incomparable, as is their importance within their respective squads.
However, it’s a similar scenario where one leaves a comfortable environment, playing for one of the best teams in the world in a well-structured side, to try to succeed in another league, where he has never played before.
The truth is, Julián Álvarez at Atlético Madrid has all the ingredients to be a success.
He’s likely to be a regular starter, especially considering Morata’s move to Milan.
As mentioned, he’s a player who understands the collective aspect of the game very well, something essential in Diego Simeone’s team.
The coach, who shares the same nationality as the centre-forward, will be another great figure for his development and will teach him a completely different style of play compared to Pep Guardiola and Gallardo.
Moreover, Álvarez is a very intelligent forward, capable of occupying spaces with great skill. This, combined with his physical ability and pressing in the opponent’s half, means he can indeed achieve his goals.
In conclusion, this transfer looks set to be highly beneficial for all parties involved.
Manchester City, dealing with Financial Fair Play issues, ended the window with an excellent surplus of €91 million.
Atlético Madrid, with the opportunity to bring in a top-level player for a fee below his market value.
And finally, Julián Álvarez, who has the chance to be the main man at a top club in a major league.
Do you think this move will work out?
Image: Atlético Madrid
Written by Vitor F L Miller.
