Pep Guardiola has been told he sanctioned the departure of a ‘future Ballon d’Or winner’ from Manchester City.
The likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rodgers, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens have all thrived since being sold by the Premier League champions, throwing into question Man City’s transfer strategy in recent years.
But, according to former Premier League star and ex-England midfielder Joe Cole, the one player Guardiola will really regret selling is Julian Alvarez.
Being offered more than £80m for the Argentine proved too tempting for Man City, especially as Alvarez was playing back-up to superstar striker Erling Haaland.
But Alvarez’s impressive form for Atletico Madrid – as well as Man City’s shocking drop-off – may have made Etihad bosses second guess the transfer decision.
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Alvarez has scored 22 goals for Atletico this term, helping Diego Simeone’s side challenge for the La Liga title and progress to the latter stages of the Champions League.
The 25-year-old scored a stunning goal in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid to ensure his side trail by just one goal ahead of the second leg on home soil.
Cole described Alvarez’s brilliant strike as ‘beautiful’ and said the Atletico forward had the potential to win the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.
‘He’s another lad we know very well from the Premier League,’ Cole said on TNT Sports after the intriguing Champions League clash.
‘You won’t see a better goal in the Champions League. It’s beautiful, it’s sensational.
‘This kid has won it all and done it all and he’s still only 25. I think we see the best of him over the next five years. I think he’s a Ballon d’Or winner in the future.’
Atletico midfielder Conor Gallagher, formerly of Chelsea, also heaped praise on Alvarez after the game.
‘It was an unreal goal,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t surprise me of course, he’s playing with so much confidence.
‘He’s a top player and a top guy as well. He’s having a great season and hopefully for us that can continue.’
Alvarez, meanwhile, insisted the Champions League tie was far from over despite his side’s defeat at the Bernabeu.
‘They scored their goals at the right moments,’ the ex-Man City star said. ‘At times, we had control of the match.
‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We were [away]. There is a one-goal difference and there are [at least] 90 minutes left in front of our people at home.’
His Atletico Madrid teammate Marcos Llorente added: ‘They are very fast and very good. They take advantage of any little lapses in concentration.
‘It is very difficult to [concede from] a ball into space for Rodrygo, who gets inside and shoots with his weak foot.
‘We must concentrate to the maximum and not let those little details [cost us] again. We need to stay together, which is what we did after that early goal.’
As well as having aspirations of winning the Champions League, Atletico Madrid are currently in a three-horse race for the La Liga title.
Barcelona are currently top, one point above Atletico and three ahead of Champions League holders Real Madrid.