It looks like the pressure is already on Pep Guardiola after Man City's poor start to their pre-season tour of America.
The Premier League champions face Barcelona on Wednesday night following a 3-2 defeat by AC Milan and a 4-3 loss to Celtic.
Although pre-season games are not thought of as important unless players get minutes on their legs and build up the intensity of their game, performance levels still need to be maintained.
Pep Guardiola gets a shirtty on the Man City star's future
In addition, there is a transfer window to think about given that clubs will want to make deals and new players involved as soon as possible.
The same applies to those players who may be looking to move on, and there have been rumors about Julian Alvarez's future for some time now.
In the interview he had with Clarin (written by CaughtOffside journalist, Fabrizio Romano, in X), although Alvarez expressed that he feels good at City, he also expressed that he is upset about being left out of the big games, giving evidence to the rumors that he may continue this summer.
??? More quotes from Álvarez's interview from @clarincom.
“I feel good at City. We will see what happens after the Olympics”.
“Perhaps it's annoying to leave the big games, the players always want to help on the field! But my season was good, so I'm very happy”.pic.twitter.com/FrEHkKrrqq
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2024
This player is currently in the Olympics with the Argentine team, and his words impressed Pep Guardiola.
??? Guardiola on Julián Álvarez: “I read that he will think about it. Ok, think about it… then he will let us know what he wants to do”.
“Julián played a lot. Want more? That's right. So that's why… think about it. And if he thinks about it, he will let us know”. pic.twitter.com/rtbT65qJn9
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2024
“I read that you will think about it (moving to another place),” Pep was quoted as saying in Romano's letter.
“Okay, think about it… then he'll let us know what he wants to do. Julian played a lot. Want more? That's right. So that's why… think about it. And if he thinks about it, he will let us know.”
If, and it's a big if at this point, City agree to any move for the 24-year-old, they won't let him go for peanuts.
Any club interested in his services is likely to pay top dollar for him, so City can find a key replacement, like Alvarez, who will have to be content playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland.
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