Even the goal machine that is Erling Haaland arguably isn’t the complete package. While this might seem contentious, it’s perhaps what Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes. Haaland is almost always the center of media attention, something his Norway teammate Martin Odegaard seems to be thankful for. But despite Haaland shattering records across the spectrum in his debut season for the Citizens, Guardiola rates the Norwegian’s teammate as a more “complete” player.

Haaland scored 52 goals in all competitions for Man City last season, but the frontman is perhaps only a finishing specialist according Guardiola. The Catalan manager has rated Haaland’s World Cup winning teammate Julian Alvarez as a more all-round complete soccer player, in his recent comments.

Pep Guardiola suggests Julian Alavarez is the complete package ahead of Erling Haaland

Alvarez joined Manchester City from River Plate in January 2022. At the time, eyebrows were raised considering his age, despite costing a bargain fee of only $17 million. The 23-year-old, however, has excelled since his move to Manchester, and is also highly rated by Guardiola.

Speaking about Alvarez after his brace helped City beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 in the Champions League, Guardiola was full of praise for the Argentine wideman in his post match presser. Talking to the media, Guardiola said: “Julián has it all. The goals, the fight and the assists.”

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The Argentine winger also lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after La Albiceleste went all the way to win the trophy captained, of course, by the mercurial Lionel Messi. But coming to recent events, Alvarez was pivotal in City’s UEFA Champions League opening group game that began their title defense this season, and he helped the Mancunian club in some style.

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Alvarez on target for Man City in Champions League as Haaland fires blank

Alvarez managed to score a brace for City after the Citizens trailed 1-0 until half time against Red Star Belgrade. But City’s prolific frontman Erling Haaland fired a blank in the game. Despite starting rather brightly, the towering Norwegian missed some chances and also hit the crossbar with a headed effort in the 24th minute.

But he turned provider this time making an assist for Julian Alvarez’s equalizer in the 46th minute. Haaland then missed a sitter in the 56th minute which was miraculously saved by Red Star Belgrade’s goalie Omri Glazer. But Alvarez’s second goal on the night, however, was a thing of beauty. The Argentine winger took a free kick from the left side of the pitch, outside the box, and saw his curled effort fly into the Red Star net.

Alvarez is certainly one of City’s most underrated players, and perhaps that’s why Pep Guardiola decided to throw the spotlight onto the Argentine youngster in his post match comments. City have started this season’s Champions League campaign with a win despite being 1-0 down initially. But whether they can go all the way and lift the trophy by the end of the season remains to be seen.

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