Manchester City fans could soon be seeing a new face in the first-team squad in the form of Claudio Echeverri.
Echeverri signed for Manchester City from River Plate in January of this year, but has remained with the club on a loan basis.
It was stated at the time by City that he would be returning to the first-team in January 2025 and today, it has been reiterated that Echeverri will indeed be joining up with Pep Guardiola and co.
There does not appear to be any plans for the Argentine youngster to join another club on loan to develop further. Seemingly, the feeling is that Echeverri spending time around world-class players will be more beneficial.
But how has Echeverri actually done so far at River in 2024? Manchester City News brings you up to speed.
Claudio Echeverri has enjoyed productive 2024 on loan at River Plate
City decided to keep Echeverri on loan at River Plate, feeling that it would be better for his immediate development. He had only just turned 18, so to uproot a player so young would potentially be slightly risky.
The club took the same course of action when signing Julian Alvarez, and he obviously turned out to be a top player for City, and made the club a lot of money with his transfer to Atletico Madrid in the summer.
As City are bringing him into their squad in January, you would think that he;s done fairly well this year.
Goal report that Echeverri has been in ‘red-hot form this season and has performed consistently in the Argentine top-flight’.
He has made 32 appearances so far for a total of 1795 minutes, scoring four goals and making three assists.
| Claudio Echeverri for River Plate in 2024 |
| Appearances – 32 |
| Minutes played – 1795 |
| Goals – 4 |
| Assists – 3 |
For the most part, Echeverri has operated as a number 10 for River, who are currently seventh in the Primeira Division, but has occasionally featured on the left side.
River’s manager, former City defender Martin Demichelis has been very impressed with the teenager. Demichelis has apparently informed City that Echeverri is a top prospect, having helped to mold him this year.
In the summer, Demichelis raved over Echeverri, saying ‘technically, he is a marvel’.
WhoScored have him ranked a respectable 14th for average match ratings so far in 2024, with 29 players in River Plate’s squad in total.
Echeverri also represented Argentina at the Paris Olympics in the summer to further emphasis his exciting trajectory.
River wanted to keep Echeverri longer
In what is a sure-fire sign that Echeverri has been in fine fettle, River reportedly did actually request to keep Echeverri beyond January 2025 (via AS).
But City denied this request, obviously feeling that he is now ready for the next phase of his development.
City fans have seen what being around top-quality players did for Phil Foden when he was younger. He is now one of the best players in the Premier League and has been hugely successful over the past few years.
He could really kick on spending his days with people like Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
It would be fantastic to see him make his debut later in the season. But he’ll have to work his socks off, with the likes of Foden, De Bruyne James McAtee and Oscar Bobb all options to play as attacking midfielders.
