Jamie Redknapp suggested that Manchester City are now really starting to miss one of their former players, after being thrashed by Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City are now on a five-game losing streak, after falling at the Etihad Stadium against Spurs.
The north London giants tend to give City trouble, but few could have really anticipated such a result, especially after a positive week that saw Pep Guardiola extend his contract at Man City.
Rodri was also present at the stadium, but his teammates fell way short of expectations against Spurs.
Erling Haaland had an off day in front of goal and, as has been the case all season, no one else could chip in.
Tony Cascarino slammed Phil Foden for his loss of form, but the likes of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Savinho and Matheus Nunes have all failed to score in the league this season.
For Jamie Redknapp, City really miss one player they sold in 2024.
Jamie Redknapp insists Man City are missing Julian Alvarez
In the last transfer window, Manchester City sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for over £80 million.
The Argentine had grown frustrated with his lack of starts in 2024, and decided he wanted to leave.
City rarely stand in a player’s way when they want to leave, and it was all about whether an acceptable offer would come in for the South American.
One certainly did from Atletico, and City sold without hesitation.
But, amid City’s crisis, Redknapp now reckons this was a mistake. He said on Sky Sports yesterday: “Rodri is obviously an important part. But is it everything? Absolutely not.
“Missing Kevin De Bruyne, missing Dias. I honestly think, great money, Alvarez in the summer. But I think it was a huge loss not having him, just to bring him, just to bring him on to give you some freshness.”
Last week, Chris Sutton also suggested City miss Alvarez.
- Who is Julian Alvarez? The story of the striker who won it all at Man City before joining Atletico Madrid
City miss Alvarez’s goals, but can’t be blamed for selling
Most City fans would probably love to have Alvarez in the squad right now, as he could obviously chip in with goals.
He scored 36 in his two years at the Etihad Stadium, and the output he brought was important.
But City really couldn’t be blamed for selling when they did. To get over £80 million for Alvarez was seriously impressive, and probably about £20 million more than his real market value.
It was probably felt fairly confidently that goals would come from other sources, like Foden, Savinho and maybe even Ilkay Gundogan.
| Julian Alvarez for Man City |
| Appearances – 103 |
| Goals – 36 |
| Assists – 18 |
| Trophies – 6 |
It obviously hasn’t turned out that way and it now looks like Alvarez is being badly missed.
But one has to remember that the player wanted to go. Sometimes, it’s important to make sales to ensure dressing room harmony and dynamics are maintained.
It’s just a shame Atletico didn’t come with their offer a couple of weeks before they actually did. This might have given City more time to get an actual direct replacement in.
