Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded after forward Julián Álvarez has commented on his amount of playing time and potentially dropped a hint about his future at the Etihad.
Having just won his second Copa América with Argentina and now rolling straight into Paris 2024, Álvarez is still yet to return to training with the Man City first team, but the 24-year-old has opened up on what he hopes will happen when he returns to club football.
Speaking to American broadcaster DIRECTV Sports, the former River Plate striker admitted that whilst “there is a lot of talk”, his current focus is solely on the Olympics and that he feels “very good at City”, adding, “I played a lot of minutes”.
However, he did go on to confess that “maybe it’s annoying to be out in big games, players always want to help on the pitch”, adding, “But we will see after the Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide” – a remark that has sparked some speculation online.
🔵🇦🇷 More quotes from Álvarez’s interview from @clarincom.
“I feel good at City. We will see what happens after Olympics”.
“Maybe it's annoying to be out in big games, players always want to help on the pitch! But my season was good, so I'm very happy”.pic.twitter.com/FrEHkKrrqq
Not only did Álvarez get the transfer rumour mill churning – inadvertently or not – but it seems word travelled fast to his manager as well, as Pep addressed the situation whilst on City’s pre-season tour in the US.
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Speaking to media ahead of the two games against Barcelona and Chelsea this week, Guardiola recognised that the attacking talent “wants to play in important moments, but the other players [want that] too […] I read he has to think about it, so OK, think about it and after that, he will inform us what he wants to do.”
Reiterating that has no desire to sell or replace him, he simply put the ball in the player’s court, stating: “Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain]”, Man City‘s sporting director, “and we will see what happens.
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You can see the clip from the press conference down below:
GUARDIOLA LE RESPONDIÓ A JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ: "LEÍ QUE VA A PENSARLO. QUE LO PIENSE" 😱
🗣️ El argentino manifestó que debe analizar si sigue en el City en la próxima temporada y Pep, desde Estados Unidos, le contestó
Whether this was just a hint towards the Catalan coach in hopes of getting the nod for those most important games or a suggestion that he might look for a move elsewhere if his position in the squad doesn’t change, only time will tell.
That being said, having now played his moments in a treble-winning season, won even more back-to-back major tournaments with the World Cup and Copa América, not to mention looking to bring home an Olympic gold to boot, it’s fair to say he has experience on the biggest stage even at such a young age.
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It isn’t the first time questions over his amount of playing time and deployment off the bench have been questioned with fellow compatriot and club legend Sergio Aguero even raising the issue last year, and now reports have suggested that Atlético Madrid have already expressed interest in signing him.
What do you think, Blues, does Álvarez deserve more minutes in the key fixtures and would you keep him in the City squad for as long as possible, or should Pep let him move on if he wants to?
Manchester City to commemorate Sir Howard Bernstein ahead of Arsenal game this weekend
Danny Jones
Manchester City have announced that they will be dedicating their upcoming Premier League fixture to the late, great Sir Howard Bernstein.
The former Manchester City Council chief executive and influential native passed away earlier this year following a “period of illness” at the age of 71.
With tributes flooding in from all over the world of local business, music, sport and more, his passing was described as “a huge loss to all 10 boroughs”.
As a lifelong Blue, the club also joined the region as a whole in paying their respects to the revered local figure – who is credited with helping stabilise Greater Manchester‘s economy and helping usher in the city’s modern era – but now they will be observing a special commemoration this weekend.
Ahead of this Sunday's fixture against Arsenal, the Club will commemorate our Honorary President, Sir Howard Bernstein (1953-2024)
As detailed in a statement on the club site, City wrote: “During this tenure [on the City Council], the city of Manchester enjoyed an incredible resurgence both economically and culturally following the decline of former manufacturing industries.
“One of his greatest achievements as Chief Executive was bringing the enormously successful Commonwealth Games to Manchester in 2002, using sports-led regeneration to breathe new life into Manchester, which in doing so, paved the way for Manchester City’s move to the then City of Manchester Stadium (now known as the Etihad Stadium), from Maine Road.
“Before kick-off, a dedication to Sir Howard’s life will be read, followed by a minute’s applause, providing our players and fans with an opportunity to pay their respects to a lifelong Man City fan who dedicated his life to the city of Manchester.”
As is often custom with gestures of remembrance, City players and manager Pep Guardiola will also be wearing black armbands for the duration of the match.
Bernstein was knighted back in 2003, and deputy lieutenant for Greater Manchester by 2017, his list of recognitions is almost as long as his contributions to the county.
Even once he retired from the Council after more than 40 years of unwavering service, he still fulfilled key roles for Manchester-based organisations. He was even made an honorary president of both Man City and Lancashire Cricket Club – the lattermost title he held for a decade.
If the word legend truly does get thrown around too much, this is one of the cases where it doesn’t even come close to summing up the impact the loyal local servant had on the home he loved so much.
The Blues kick-off against title-rivals Arsenal at 4:30pm on Sunday, 22 September and when his name and image come up on the big screen at the Etihad, the supporters are sure to be in full voice.
Meanwhile, in-house, club captain Rodri is one of several professional footballers once again calling for a review of the increasingly congested fixture list as concerns are once again being raised over the number of games players are expected to play per season.
Tributes paid as Curzon Ashton FC founder Harry Twamley dies following a ‘long illness’
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring as local team Curzon Ashton FC have confirmed that club founder Harry Twamley BEM has sadly passed awayat the age of 82.
Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, the National League North side shared the news on Wednesday morning, with fans across the region as well as up and down the English footballing pyramid paying their respects.
Posting on social media, the Curzon Ashton official accounts wrote: “It is with deep regret that we announce that Harry Twamley (BEM) passed away after a long illness.”
“Our condolences are expressed to Richard and Jayne and to the rest of his family at this time.”
While they explained that a full statement will be shared online in the coming days, the initial announcement on the club website featured heartfelt words from former club chairman Wayne Salkeld, who took over from Twamley back in the 2018/19 season, spending five years at the helm.
Salkeld said: “It’s a sad day for everyone at the club. I was honoured when Harry asked me to become chairman in 2018/19 and I will never forget that day.
“I’m going to miss our phone calls which were every day. Thanks for the memories and we will work hard to keep your legacy going.”
Curzon Ashton director Oliver Newall also shared a touching tribute to the club founder, who set up the club back in 1963, adding: “What an incredible man. Someone who brought Curzon Ashton into the world and whom without we would not have had so many amazing moments and memories.
“The word legend gets thrown around too often… Harry Twamley was a legend and he will be missed so much.” He was joined by numerous fans and other clubs in offering their condolences.
Other teams paying tribute included Salford City, Saddleworth Cricket Club and nearby non-league outfit, FC United of Manchester.
The lattermost wrote: “From all at FC United, we would like to pay our respects to a legend of the game in Greater Manchester, we ground-shared at Curzon Ashton and saw first-hand what an immense character Harry was.”
Twamley was named in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours list back in 2017 and awarded an Order of the British Empire medal for his services to amateur football. Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, The Nash and their supporters.
Rest in peace to an important local figure and treasured champion of the grassroots game.