Bernardo Silva admits he misses former team-mate Julian Alvarez after Manchester City reluctantly let him go.
Alvarez, 25, was sold to Atletico Madrid for £81million in the summer after two seasons with the Etihad club. Having helped City win two Premier League titles and a Treble, the Argentine forward was often shifted out wide, benched or used in a deeper role by Pep Guardiola to accommodate Erling Haaland.
He signed for Diego Simeone’s Atletico in search of more minutes, leaving City to rue his exit. Guardiola’s side have since lacked their typical spark in forward areas all season and have had to splurge to bring in players such as Savinho and Omar Marmoush to bolster their front line.
And even City’s veteran attacking-midfielder, Silva, has come out and admitted just how much of a void Alvarez’s departure has left this season, both in terms of his ability and his personality in the dressing room.
Silva said of the 2022 World Cup winner: “I miss him a lot because he is an exceptional team-mate and I am very fond of him. I am very happy that he is doing well. He is a wonderful guy, and he deserves everything.
“Whenever I see Julián score a goal, I'm very happy for him; he's doing very well. Atlético de Madrid is having a very good season. I am very happy for him.”
Alvarez registered an impressive 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 appearances for City. His impact was such that manager Guardiola admitted his sale might come back to haunt him, referring to it as a potential "mistake".
Ahead of the trip to West Ham back in late August, the Catalan tactician said: “I'm happy with the squad. We didn't expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened.
“We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem, but in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back and Phil [Foden] is in that position, [James] McAtee can play in that position, [Ilkay] Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo [Silva]…
“They are different players to Erling of course. Maybe it is a mistake, I don't know but I don't like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play, the performance of the teams is always better.”
Alvarez is not the only attacking talent City have ended up really regretting letting go in recent times, as Cole Palmer similarly has shone away from the Etihad since switching to Chelsea.
After a slow start to the season, Alvarez has been especially effective in the Champions League for Atletico. Six of his 16 goals have come in Europe, while he has also managed three assists in all competitions as Atletico closed the gap to one point on La Liga leaders Real Madrid at the weekend.
GilfredJr
0
I was always insulted and being called different names by my fellow Manchester City fans whenever I talk about Alvarez being better than halaand.. Alvarez gives solidibility to the team unlike halaand who is never seen in big games.. Alvarez knows how to win big games because he gets involved in the team play not halaand who just wait to be fed with balls..
Meeekmou
0
pep is blind could not see good quality player as Arteta..Alvarez is good quality player..but this arrogant manager pep sell it..
Blaqpablo
0
A very successful one at that
That's why Liverpool have one EPL in 30 years
Blaqpablo
0
Man city with all these panick buys,is it going to work,he needs to change tactics and build his dressing room first,said he doesn’t work on this,it’s never going to work out for him
Advice maresca first not pep who has made EPL look like farmers league
Blaqpablo
0
Pep is a fool. You buy players so use them. Y have nunes on the field just the same when he has been terrible in games. He is hesitant and doesn’t take chances and is terrible at defending. Why is pep so stuck in his ways. Even the formation can change so haaland has more support upfront, because defenders are marking him every where he goes so he can not be the only striker or main attacker anymore. Pep is just stupid and all the titles won were because the players were exceptional, not because of his tactics. A good system can work even if one or two main player is missing. Pep is an idiot. If it wasn’t for individual brilliance from players like Kdb or Rodri or haaland, city wud b in the relegation zone, u need a system to bring out the best in all areas on the field
If he does not use him you would say he bought nunes and put him on the bench
Cikadklpst
0
we missed actually
GaddafiJamal
0
Exactly
😂😂😂💔
bozbeknp
0
Pep is a fool. You buy players so use them. Y have nunes on the field just the same when he has been terrible in games. He is hesitant and doesn’t take chances and is terrible at defending. Why is pep so stuck in his ways. Even the formation can change so haaland has more support upfront, because defenders are marking him every where he goes so he can not be the only striker or main attacker anymore. Pep is just stupid and all the titles won were because the players were exceptional, not because of his tactics. A good system can work even if one or two main player is missing. Pep is an idiot. If it wasn’t for individual brilliance from players like Kdb or Rodri or haaland, city wud b in the relegation zone, u need a system to bring out the best in all areas on the field
and thats y u got only 1 like
jusaeiopuz
3
Pep is a fool. You buy players so use them. Y have nunes on the field just the same when he has been terrible in games. He is hesitant and doesn’t take chances and is terrible at defending. Why is pep so stuck in his ways. Even the formation can change so haaland has more support upfront, because defenders are marking him every where he goes so he can not be the only striker or main attacker anymore. Pep is just stupid and all the titles won were because the players were exceptional, not because of his tactics. A good system can work even if one or two main player is missing. Pep is an idiot. If it wasn’t for individual brilliance from players like Kdb or Rodri or haaland, city wud b in the relegation zone, u need a system to bring out the best in all areas on the field
tampumi
1
The very big mistakes pep did is to put Mathias Nunez in Arsenal game,, Lewis is better than Nunez even that new signing play why did he left him
Never, Nunes has improved we lost the game because of cdm as long as we dnt play a cdm we will lose Rico is very weak nd useless
Pass2Pogba
0
The very big mistakes pep did is to put Mathias Nunez in Arsenal game,, Lewis is better than Nunez even that new signing play why did he left him
cuz he's the main striker
ChiloWest
5
One of the reasons to why he wins match’s is by not forcing a players if you are not happy under pep you can’t help the club 😂 Simple football is business you don’t force workers
faedlmprsu
5
The very big mistakes pep did is to put Mathias Nunez in Arsenal game,, Lewis is better than Nunez even that new signing play why did he left him
Yiuadmorz
0
Cheque Book Manager
A very successful one at that
Yiuadmorz
0
Alvarez wanted to leave as he’s not guaranteed to be starting all the time
Please tell him
Yiuadmorz
0
Man city with all these panick buys,is it going to work,he needs to change tactics and build his dressing room first,said he doesn’t work on this,it’s never going to work out for him
Please advise your coach first
isaacizoh
0
Mr humble tap in won 2 premier league titles in two years but world class Salah has 1 in more than 6 years.
better league not garbage
Roncimsuyz
0
He is far much better than Mr Humble Tap In
Mr humble tap in won 2 premier league titles in two years but world class Salah has 1 in more than 6 years.
zuzbmnoprt
2
because that game against arsenal you can't keep nunas at back while our new differnders at their sure no change your plans
zuzbmnoprt
1
pep you're not serious of what you're doing I'm very disappoint in you
Sozaenprt
2
Alvarez is a big player, that I have always known
VawulenceProMax
0
Cheque Book Manager
Mumu go and check how much he bought Alvarez
Pdivine
0
Man city with all these panick buys,is it going to work,he needs to change tactics and build his dressing room first,said he doesn’t work on this,it’s never going to work out for him
What's wrong with his dressing room?
rokbeimst
0
see Chelsea in the comment section advising and criticizing pep😆🤪🥲
finimnyz
6
City should buy goalkeeper
bamadiloty
1
Can you see Gardiola is not who he thinks he is, how can you let Alvares go when you know sometimes The team doesn't work with only Halland and Debrune getting old every single day
Cheque Book Manager
Qadedayo
0
Can you see Gardiola is not who he thinks he is, how can you let Alvares go when you know sometimes The team doesn't work with only Halland and Debrune getting old every single day
Alvarez wanted to leave as he’s not guaranteed to be starting all the time
bamadiloty
6
He is far much better than Mr Humble Tap In
foabdeprty
0
Man city with all these panick buys,is it going to work,he needs to change tactics and build his dressing room first,said he doesn’t work on this,it’s never going to work out for him
are u technical
foabdeprty
0
Can you see Gardiola is not who he thinks he is, how can you let Alvares go when you know sometimes The team doesn't work with only Halland and Debrune getting old every single day
what is your point
Orizu12
1
Man city with all these panick buys,is it going to work,he needs to change tactics and build his dressing room first,said he doesn’t work on this,it’s never going to work out for him
CallMeDaddyyo
2
Can you see Gardiola is not who he thinks he is, how can you let Alvares go when you know sometimes The team doesn't work with only Halland and Debrune getting old every single day