‘It is good to compete’: Julian Alvarez on the fight for his place at Man City

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The Argentine international is relishing life at the Etihad Stadium since arrival from River Plate.

Manchester City have begun their Premier League title defence in stellar fashion with five wins from their opening seven games, drawing the other two.

The Sky Blues are the competition’s highest goal scorers so far, netting 23 times, while conceding just six times.

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Pep Guardiola made several changes to his squad this summer in hopes of winning a third consecutive league title - an achievement only accomplished by cross-town rivals Manchester United.

The Catalan won the race for highly sought-after striker Erling Haaland, while also bringing Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega, Sergio Gomez and Manuel Akanji to the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola hopes Haaland can have a goalscoring impact on his City team-mates. Credit: Getty.Guardiola hopes Haaland can have a goalscoring impact on his City team-mates. Credit: Getty.
Guardiola hopes Haaland can have a goalscoring impact on his City team-mates. Credit: Getty. | Getty Images

Julian Alvarez also joined City’s squad this summer after signing for the club from River Plate during the January transfer window.

The Argentine remained on loan with his former club until pre-season, where he scored 54 goals in 122 appearances.

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His arrival has been an exciting one for Sky Blues fans, with them getting a first glimpse of the 22-year-old in their Community Shield final loss to Liverpool, in which he scored their only goal of the game.

Alvarez has since gone on to make a further seven appearances for Guardiola’s side in all competitions, scoring twice.

The forward is likely to feature significantly for City this campaign, especially with multiple competitions, and is hoping for healthy competition with Haaland.

“In every team there is internal competition, but healthy competition like is always said,” Alvarez told the Sky Blues’ official website.

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“It is always good to compete and to share the locker room with the best players in the world. In your position because you learn, and you grow a lot.

“And I’m here to do those things.”

His development has been helped significantly by the quality of players within the Sky Blues’ squad, something Alvarez is delighted about.

“Well there are a lot of good players here, all of them play beautiful football. Skilful football,” he added.

Alvarez scored his first Premier League goals. Credit: Getty.Alvarez scored his first Premier League goals. Credit: Getty.
Alvarez scored his first Premier League goals. Credit: Getty. | Getty Images

“The first days I told my family I was very surprised by Ilkay [Gundogan] and Kevin [De Bruyne] for how he controls the ball and how he moves in small spaces and his technical skillset.

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“I’ve always said I wanted to play with the best players in the world. Well now here at Manchester City but that goes for the national team as well.

“With the vast majority of players playing here in Europe, you learn a lot. Not just watching them but also sharing the pitch with them.”

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