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Julian Alvarez 'more complete' than Mbappe and Haaland, according to Chilean legend

Julian Alvarez 'more complete' than Mbappe and Haaland, according to Chilean legend

The Manchester City and Argentina forward has been compared to Mbappe and Haaland following his World Cup triumph.

Chilean football icon Ivan Zamorano believes Julian Alvarez is a more complete forward than both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Alvarez was one of the best young talents at the World Cup, and was truly vital to Argentina's eventual triumph.

The Manchester City forward scored four goals and provided one assist across six appearances and his intelligent play allowed Lionel Messi, among others, to thrive on the world stage.

Whilst he doesn't get much of a look in at City due to Haaland, Zamorano has claimed the 22-year-old is a more well-rounded forward than his teammate.

Zamorano featured over 250 times for Real Madrid and Inter Milan combined and scored 34 goals in 69 games for Chile, and stands as one of their best ever players.

A former striker himself, he spoke to Ole about Argentina's World Cup triumph.

The 55-year-old claimed that Alvarez was among a few players who stepped up to become a key player within Argentina's side, and his performances have shown his all-round game to be better than superstar forwards Mbappe and Haaland.

"Julián Álvarez is a more complete forward than Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Haaland is not good on the wings.

"And Mbappé does not participate much as a number 9. Julian does all of that."

Alvarez edged out Mbappe in the final, who scored a hattrick in the defeat, but Zamorano also revealed that he believes the City player is the most complete forward in the world and claims he is a forward who does 'everything' well.

Julian Alvarez is one of world football's most talented young strikers.
Alamy

"Today, in current football, it seems to me that Julián is the most complete striker there is.

"He is a boy who does everything well: he goes well to the wings, he enters very well from the sides, he is the first defender, he shows solidarity with his teammates, he heads very well, he shoots from the right and from the left, he has a knack for physical power in the short ground but also the long one, he showed it in the goal he scored against Croatia."

Alvarez made the €21.4m move to City in January, but was loaned back to River Plate until the end of their season, and then joined Pep Guardiola's side in the summer.

Alvarez has had to be patient for his chances at Manchester City given Erling Haaland's form.
Alamy

It's been slow integration so far, having to play second fiddle to Haaland who has been in incredible form for the Citizens so far this season.

Despite that, he has impressed whenever he's got the chance, scoring seven and assisting twice in 20 appearances, that have only included four starts in total.

It looks like City are set for years with Alvarez and Haaland, and following his World Cup exploits, he could be entrusted with more minutes under Guardiola for the rest of the season.

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Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Julian Alvarez, Manchester City, Argentina, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland