New Manchester City star Julian Alvarez is set to receive just 14 days rest this summer as the Argentine switches River Plate for the Premier League champions.
Most City stars are already enjoying their holidays, with a few international games following their wild title celebrations, although there is now nothing in the calendar until July 20. That's when City's pre-season will begin, with a Community Shield clash against Liverpool on July 30 before the new season gets underway.
However, season dates are different in South America, and Alvarez won't finish with River Plate until July 6, meaning that the youngster will only have two weeks off between switching clubs. But it seems as though the Argentine is raring to go.
All of the talk may be about Erling Haaland this summer, as the Norwegian will join City on a £51million deal on July 1. But although their long pursuit of a no.9 is over, Pep Guardiola will have two choices when Alvarez links up with his new squad.
The 22-year-old has impressed at River Plate since being promoted to the squad in 2018, and City signed him at the start of the year before loaning him back to the Argentine giants. Since being loaned back to the club he has scored 16 goals in 21 games, and will join City with a lot of expectation.
Alvarez has already been dubbed as the 'next Sergio Aguero', and he could form a dangerous partnership with Haaland depending on Guardiola's intentions. But either way, an already dangerous City have gone from having no striker to readying two, hungry no.9's.
The on-loan River Plate star is entering his final four matches for the Argentine side, and he will have the chance to beat Rafael Borre's record and become the leading scorer during the Marcelo Gallardo era. Borre has since gone on to become a Europa League winner with Frankfurt, and scored in the final against Rangers.
But despite the fact that Alvarez will receive little to no holiday this summer, his current boss is full of praise for the 22-year-old, who is still playing each game as 'if it were his first'.
"Julian is days away from leaving and he plays every game as if it were his first. That is contagious," said Gallardo, via La Nacion. "Replacing Julian is difficult, so it’s important to replace him with performance.
"Today he is a player of great hierarchy, he had impressive growth, and that is why he is going to that club." It's rare that clubs operate with two strikers anymore, but Alvarez can also play as a winger, which may be in Guardiola's plans.
Raheem Sterling has been linked with a move away from the club, with Chelsea interested in signing the winger. But with Alvarez' ability to play out wide, he could be a ready replacement if Sterling does leave this summer.
There will be a watchful eye over Alvarez in pre-season, as Guardiola assesses if he has what it takes to get into the squad straight away. But it's likely he will be match fit, although fatigue could creep in.
