Manchester City legend Pablo Zabaleta is backing Argentine striker Julian Alvarez to follow in the footsteps of Sergio Aguero.
Alvarez has finally joined up with Pep Guardiola’s squad following his £14million switch from River Plate in January - and comes with a huge reputation. All eyes will be on £51million tyro Erling Haaland - but Zabaleta expects Alvarez to pick up the gauntlet left behind by City’s record goalscorer Aguero.
Zabaleta said: “Alvarez a great player who has done really well for River Plate. He’s one of the best strikers in South America. A real finisher, good movement, he comes deep.
“His movement is really clever in attacking the space. He finishes off both feet - and is a complete striker. It’s a big move for him from Argentina to England. With a new country sometimes you need a bit of time to settle into a new place and a different league.
“But he is in a good team, surrounded by good players and that will obviously make life easier for him in Manchester. I think he (Alvarez) spoke to Sergio, because they played together in the national team.
“Sergio came to City when he was 22 and was at the club for 10 years. These players come with big expectations but as soon as you’re here and see the people who work at the club, it’s like a family and they make you feel at home. Hopefully Julian can stay as long as Sergio did and score some beautiful goals.”
Zabaleta has teamed up with his former club during City’s pre-season tour of the United States. The Premier League champions face Mexican side Club America in Houston on Wednesday and then meet Bayern Munich in Green Bay on Saturday.
The Argentine became a cult hero during his time at the Etihad and is now a club ambassador. He has offered to give Alvarez all the help he needs to hit the ground running but revealed the striker will be bringing some family members to Manchester.
Zabaleta added: “If you’re a good professional and hungry for success, it shouldn’t be a problem. There are a lot of Spanish speakers in the club, which should help him with everything.
“I spoke to Julian on the plane to America and he was saying that the family is coming over, his dad and brother. Of course, if there’s anything I can do to help Julian, the advice, I will do it 100 percent.
“When I was talking to him, I was telling him the club is completely different to when I first came to Manchester. I just said ‘listen, you’re probably in one of the greatest clubs in the world right now.’
“There is no better place than Man City, if you see the facilities, the team, the manager. All he has to do is work hard and show how good he is. Julian will have to be patient, because there is competition. But at City, you will always have 45 to 50 games and there are plenty of opportunities to play - and he will need to be ready to perform.”
