Pep Guardiola: Manchester City not replacing Julian Alvarez could be a mistake

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted the club have taken a risk by not moving to replace Julian Alvarez in the transfer market but insisted he has more than enough options in attack.

It has been a quiet summer in east Manchester with the return of Ilkay Gundogan and the signing of Savinho the only new signings, while James McAtee has joined the first-team squad after spending the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.

After Alvarez left for Atletico Madrid in a deal potentially worth £81million, City were linked with several forwards who might play understudy to Erling Haaland, but chose to stick with what they had in line with Guardiola’s preference for working with a small squad.

“I’m happy with the squad,” Guardiola said. “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 (from injury) and Phil (Foden) is in that position, McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo…

“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.

“I know the group and how serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game. We are pretty sure it is better to wait.”

Savinho has been quick to make an impact on the wing, getting his first assist in setting up Kevin De Bruyne’s goal in the 4-1 win over Ipswich last week, a match in which Gundogan received a