Chris Sutton believes a transfer move Manchester City made in the summer is now coming back to bite them after losing their fourth game in a row to Brighton.
Manchester City haven’t had much to worry about on the pitch over the last decade but they’re now in unfamiliar territory after losing a fourth game in succession.
Pep Guardiola’s side once again started well and completely dominated the first half, this time taking the lead through Erling Haaland.
But just like their thrashing in Lisbon, City failed to put the game out of sight when they were on top and collapsed in the second half by conceding two goals within minutes.
Joao Pedro capitalised on frantic defending to sweep home the leveller and Matt O’Riley poked in the winner after waltzing through on goal unopposed.
It’s not a total crisis as City’s long list of important injuries can be pointed towards as a reason for the rotten run but Chris Sutton believes the summer sale of Julian Alvarez is now proving to be a mistake.
- Who is Julian Alvarez? The story of the striker who won it all at Man City before joining Atletico Madrid
Sutton says Man City are missing Julian Alvarez
Speaking on BBC 606 after the game, Sutton said: “Today with regards to the substitute, he only used two subs.
“Talking about fatigue amongst his team, he only used two subs, brought De Bruyne on and Silva on with 15, 20 minutes to go.
“And Julian Alvarez. Played 30+ games last season for Manchester City. Was that a mistake letting him go? I am not sure Pep would admit it, but it looks to me like it was a mistake.”
Are Man City missing Julian Alvarez?
It’s hard to call a record sale of up to £81.5m for Alvarez, who wasn’t even a guaranteed starter, a mistake.
Especially when the Argentine wanted to leave and City have always maintained wantaway stars are free to go as long as the money is right. It’s a move that made sense for all involved.
Yet, City are certainly missing him, or at least a player like him, now. Alvarez, while not the best player in any department, was so useful because he was great at lots of things.
He could play up front, out wide, in the middle. He could run, score goals, create chances, press, defend. He had energy, stamina and, perhaps most useful of all, he was always fit.
Alvarez made a remarkable 103 appearances for City in just two seasons at the Etihad and didn’t miss a single game through injury. That sort of reliability could come in very useful right now.
City’s mistake wasn’t that they sold Alvarez, it was that they didn’t replace him.
