BBC pundit Stewart Downing has suggested that Pep Guardiola could drop Julian Alvarez from Manchester City’s starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Following the latest international break, during which numerous City players were in action representing their countries, domestic football returns as the Manchester club take on Brighton at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
Looking ahead to this match, one pundit and former Premier League player has claimed that Guardiola could take a prominent player out of the team on this occasion.
Downing reckons Guardiola will drop Alvarez
Speaking in a recent edition of the BBC’s Football Daily podcast, Downing had this to say on the matter.
He said: “He might leave Alvarez out. Maybe he might go for the three in midfield and the two wide wingers and [Erling] Haaland at the top and take Alvarez out of that 10 positions, gives them a little more solid behind the ball in case Brighton do attack and they’ve got that extra number in midfield so. I wouldn’t be surprised if Alvarez does come out and [Jeremy] Doku starts.”
So far this season, the 23-year-old has started all eight of City’s Premier League games, completing the full 90 minutes on six occasions, scoring three goals and delivering four assists along the way.
Across those eight games, the World Cup winner has made more goal-creating actions (5) than any other City player.
This highlights how much of an important figure the Argentine has been for the Citizens and why potentially taking him out of the starting XI would be a big move from the manager.
However, having started both of Argentina’s game during the recent international break, the latest of which being on Wednesday, perhaps this could be why Downing thinks Guardiola may look to give Alvarez a potential rest on this occasion.
Looking ahead to the game, we feel that the striker’s proficiency in front of goal has put him in a position where he is too important to be left out unless his fitness says otherwise.
