Former coach of Julian Alvarez – ‘I’d like him to play for Real Madrid’

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has not enjoyed the start he might have liked this season, with just a single goal from their opening six games. Los Rojiblancos are still seeking their second win, in a season they were back to redouble their efforts in pursuit of silverware.

Alvarez missed a penalty during Los Rojiblancos’ 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca, but the headlines followed his reaction to being taken off just after the hour mark. Clearly frustrated, Diego Simeone did his best to cool any tensions ahead of their clash with Rayo Vallecano, calling him their best player.

However there is no doubt that the best of Alvarez is yet to be seen at Atletico, despite glimpses of it, and a strong debut season. Alvarez’s first coach, Hugo Rafael Varas, has told Radio Villa Trinidad that the 25-year-old is not being used correctly. Diario AS carried his words.

“He doesn’t look comfortable with Simeone. He’s played a lot of games, he’s not the striker he always was, because he’s never played in the position he should be playing. I don’t see him comfortable at Atletico.”

“I think he’s played a lot of games on the wing, he’s never played in the position he should be playing. I know he’s told his family that he’s focused on the team, he plans to play and do well, and his goal is to continue being the national team’s No. 9.”

Coaching advice will not unduly worry Simeone, who receives no shortage of it. However Varas has reignited speculation over his future, despite Alvarez and Atletico assuring that he is going nowhere soon in recent months.

“I think there’ll be a change at some point, either of the coach or [Alvarez] himself. Someone recently told me he’s going to Barcelona, and the truth is he’s not at Barcelona because they didn’t pay the money they should have. He’d would go, because he’s always been a Barcelona fan. I’d like him to play for Real Madrid.”

With Barcelona looking for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, Alvarez is reportedly one of the options that President Joan Laporta most admires. His agent, Fernando Hidalgo talked up a move to Barcelona in the summer too, and it would not be the first time Barcelona have spent big to bring in Atletico’s brightest star.