Julian Alvarez has claimed that playing alongside a player like Erling Haaland has improved his game.
Considering the World Cup winner had to fight for a spot in City’s starting XI with Haaland from day one, many wondered whether he would be able to get enough playing time in England.
However, Julian Alvarez has showcased that he is capable of both leading the line and forming a deadly partnership with the Norwegian.
Julian Alvarez says playing with Erling Haaland has made him a better player
This season especially, the 24-year-old has exhibited his tactical astuteness by looking like an adept fit in both positions for Pep Guardiola’s men and perhaps if not for Erling Haaland’s presence, he would never have been tested to his limits, both tactically and in terms of ensuring he gets enough playing time.
Unlike at Manchester City, Alvarez was the main man at River Plate and while he did play across the front line for them, he had cemented his place as his boyhood club’s go-to number nine.
When quizzed about what it is like to play with Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez feels he has become a better player by sharing a pitch with him.
“I always say that playing with the best players makes you better. Erling is one of them. There are many influential, top-level players in the team who have been doing very good things for their clubs and their national teams for a long time and playing with the best players helps you grow, so I’m very proud and happy about that”, he said in an interview with GOAL.
“I think that we have demonstrated that together, we can do very good things to help the team, you can see it on the pitch but the statistics show it too in terms of goals and assists.”
Julian Alvarez has a top mentality
Instead of shying away from the daunting task of vying for a spot with Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s starting XI, Julian Alvarez seemingly embraced the opportunity to learn from elite players like him.
Alvarez is a true student of the game as instead of crumbling under the competition for places, he seems determined to constantly improve his game.
This very mentality will help the Argentine fulfil his exciting potential in the long run as it is key for a player to absorb as much information as possible from the best of the best when developing.
