Julian Alvarez has been at the forefront of transfer gossip this week, with a handful of top European clubs currently said to be monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation.
So far this season, the Argentine forward has scored 11 goals in all competitions, also providing five assists in his 27 total appearances.
In the 2024-25 season, Alvarez played 57 times, netting 29 goals and providing eight assists, his best goal-scoring season at senior level.
He is also a versatile attacking player, who can play in all four attacking positions, making him even more desirable for top European clubs.
In this article, we’ll cover
Who is Julian Alvarez
Alvarez came through the Atletico Calchin academy in Argentina, before being picked up River Plate in 2016, where he was later promoted to the first team in 2018.
Making 122 appearances for River Plate and scoring 54 goals, also providing 31 assists, Alvarez attracted plenty of interest from Europe, joining Manchester City in the 2022 January window, but staying with River Plate on loan until the summer.
In his time at Manchester City, Alvarez was part of two Premier League winning campaigns, won an FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and, of course, the UEFA Champions League in the 2022-23 season.
After scoring 36 goals and providing 19 assists for City in 103 appearances, Alvarez left to join Atletico Madrid in the 2024 summer transfer window, looking to get out of the shadow of Erling Haaland and lead the line elsewhere.
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Suitable roles
Currently playing for Atletico Madrid, Alvarez often partners Alexander Sorloth in a front two, a dynamic similar to when he played at Manchester City alongside Haaland.
Standing at just 5’8″, the Argentine forward works better when having a more physical profile to play off of, lacking the physicality and power to bully central defenders by himself.
Therefore, the best way to platform Alvarez has been either using him alongside a more physical number nine, allowing him to play as a secondary forward, or as the primary number nine, with more intention on dropping deep to link play.
At Manchester City, Alvarez played as a number 10 and on both wings in order to facilitate him and Haaland playing together, with the Argentine only getting minutes as the number nine when the Norwegian centre-forward was absent.
Ball-striking prowess
Alvarez excels when it comes to his finishing technique, having solid ball-striking mechanics on both feet, making it hard for defenders to stop him getting a shot away.
The Argentinian has a good variety of finishes in his arsenal, having top goal-scoring instincts which can often see him slotting away awkward chances and thriving on quick releases.
The 25-year-old is very much confident in his ability, and is willing to test the keeper from range, scoring three of his goals from outside the box this campaign.
Alvarez’s ball-striking ability also translates to set-pieces, which are becoming more and more important in the current landscape of the Premier League, which is another factor for perhaps some English clubs interested in the forward.
Off-ball qualities
Growing up, Alvarez was given the nickname “The Spider” due to his quick movements and ability to latch onto the ball with longer legs at a young age.
While his growth stopped at 5’8″ giving him a smaller frame for a forward, his tenacious appetite to latch onto loose balls, make clever runs and work hard off the ball has remained.
Alvarez is often active at the top of the box with his movement, looking to come short and combine with his teammates, before spinning in behind and looking to attack the box and get into areas to unleash shots.
In terms of pressing, Alvarez has a good understanding of setting traps and arching his run to force play one way, before pressing with more intensity once the press is activated.
The current tactical meta at the top end of European football is becoming more and more hinged on out of possession work, and have star forwards who give you strengths in this facet are desirable assets.