Rio Ferdinand doubts Man City Premier League title defence after Julian Alvarez exit - ‘Who’s going to be that guy?’
By Ben Southby
Updated 14/08/2024 at 22:00 GMT+1
Rio Ferdinand has questioned whether Manchester City can retain their Premier League crown for a fourth season after selling Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. Alvarez scored 11 Premier League goals for Pep Guardiola's side last season in the absence of the injured Erling Haaland for much of the season. Ferdinand feels City may have left the door open for Arsenal to swoop in and snatch the title.
'His contribution was massive' - Guardiola hails departing Alvarez
Video credit: SNTV
Rio Ferdinand believes the sale of Julian Alvarez could impact Manchester City’s attempts to win a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title this season.
Alvarez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, joined Atletico Madrid in an £82 million deal earlier this week in a hunt for more game time.
The forward joined City two years ago and spent most of his time at the club as a back-up striker to Erling Haaland.
Despite his lack of minutes and starts, he still managed 54 goal contributions in 103 games, which consisted of 36 goals and 18 assists.
And Ferdinand feels City may have been short-sighted in their decision to let him go without finding a replacement.
“I think it’s hard to go against City because of how successful they’ve been over the last four seasons,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
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'He's the difference maker' - Ferdinand, Keown hail 'all-time great' Guardiola
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“They’ve both set a benchmark now, a new record of four in a row and that will be their aim, that will be their target, that will be the thing they’re aiming for in the dressing room.”
Despite City’s success in recent seasons, Ferdinand said there has “got to be a hunger” for Arsenal after successive second-place finishes, and admitted he had a “sneaky feeling” the door could be open for the Gunners to finally get over the line.
“One reason I’m saying Arsenal above City is because Alvarez has gone,” he claimed. “Huge, huge, input in terms of goals, important goals, 20-plus goals and off the bench a lot of the time.
“When you have someone out there who’s so impactful, who’s going to be that guy this season? I don’t think City’s business is done yet.”
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Fellow pundit and ex-Manchester United team-mate Owen Hargreaves said he was “super impressed” with Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, but cannot see a way past Man City sealing another title.
“[Arsenal] have got a brilliant squad of players, Edu [sporting director] has done an amazing job with them,” the former England midfielder said.
“I think depth is going to be an issue for them. I think they were quite fortunate with injuries last season, I think [Jurrien] Timber coming back is going to be great for them”
He added: “Man City have so many more options and more depth.
“As long as you’ve got Pep [Guardiola] in there, with Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Rodri, who’s probably the best player in the world right now, I think City are the favourites until somebody proves otherwise, but I really like Arsenal.”
'Fantastic’ Calafiori could be the difference
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Riccardo Calafiori playing for Arsenal in the Emirates Cup.
Image credit: Getty Images
One position in the Arsenal starting line-up that was not as strong last season was the left-back spot.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu battled injuries, Jurrien Timber suffered an ACL injury on his debut and stand-in Jakob Kwior struggled in parts, although impressed in others.
But Ferdinand believes the addition of Riccardo Calafiori could be the missing piece as Arsenal search for their first Premier League title in 20 years.
“Calafiori coming in on that left side. If he comes in and shores that area up, I think he’s a fantastic player,” he said.
“Played in the Bologna team with Thiago Motta, a lot of rotation so he understands that type of football [Mikel] Arteta wants to play.
“I think that was the area that was a slight weakness in the team, I think he gives them more balance and a bit of stability.”
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