Pep Guardiola has said that he only has time for Manchester City players who are interested in helping the team regardless of if they are playing every week.
Julian Alvarez signed a new deal at the club on Thursday to extend his stay in Manchester just a year after joining. There had been baseless speculation that the 23-year-old might be considering a summer move after having to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland for much of this season, but the Argentine has again committed his future to the Blues.
Pep Guardiola joined sporting director Txiki Begiristain in talking up the potential of Alvarez, but also spoke about how important he has been despite not playing. And, in a warning to anyone else who finds themselves on the bench, said the club took notice of those who do and do not help the team when they are not picked to start.
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"The players don't believe me but most of the time I think more of the guys who don't play than the guys who play regularly," said Guardiola. "I always try to pay attention to care and feelings to the guys who don't play - especially if they deserve it, thinking about the time.
"If the guys are thinking 'me, me, me, I, I, I,' then I don't care. And after I don't pay much attention.
"But every player who thinks about what is the best for the team, being sad and disappointed not to play but always making a contribution, the club - not just me - will always be behind them."
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