Micah Richards expressed his surprise and admiration for Julian Alvarez’s recent outstanding performance for Manchester City. The 23-year-old striker showcased his skill by scoring two crucial goals in City’s 3-1 victory against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Alvarez had another opportunity to add to his goal tally in the Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
Richards, a pundit and former City player, initially had doubts about Alvarez but was impressed by his remarkable abilities. In a recent episode of “The Rest is Football,” Richards candidly admitted that he underestimated Alvarez, not considering him on par with the likes of Haaland or other celebrated players, despite Alvarez’s World Cup win. However, Alvarez proved Richards wrong with not only his goal-scoring prowess but also his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
During his inaugural season with City, the Argentinian international demonstrated his talent by scoring 17 goals and assisting in 5 goals across 49 games in various categories. In the current season, Alvarez has continued to impress, scoring four goals and providing four assists. His performance statistics are a testament to his exceptional skill in front of the net.
In City’s five Premier League matches, Alvarez stood out by making more key passes (16) and goal-creating actions (5) than any other player on the team. This reinforced Richards’ observation that Alvarez possesses an equal proficiency in setting up goals as he does in scoring them. Despite initial skepticism, Alvarez has become a vital player for Guardiola and City this season.
If Alvarez maintains his consistent goal-scoring and assist-contributing form throughout the season, he could play a pivotal role in City’s quest to defend their titles from the previous season. Richards, initially unsure of Alvarez’s potential to be a superstar, now recognizes Alvarez as a crucial and impactful member of the team, further validating Alvarez’s significant contribution to City’s success.
