Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has fired a warning to the rest of Europe: You now know Erling Haaland - but just wait until you see Julian Alvarez.
The summer arrival from River Plate has been overshadowed by the amazing exploits of Haaland so far this season, but Alvarez has his fans. City legend Sergio Aguero is in no doubt about the talent his ex-Argentina teammate possesses, while former Roma and AC Milan star Antonio Cassano has declared Alvarez's overall game as superior to Haaland's.
For Goater, he can understand the hype around the young striker, and likes what he's seen from Alvarez so far this season.
Speaking to Tribalfootball.com on behalf of OLBG, the City cult hero said: "I can see them playing together, but maybe not that often.
"I don't think Haaland will be bothered that there's a claim that Alvarez is a more all-round talent. His dream is to score five goals from five touches, so he won't be too bothered. Haaland will be more concerned at playing more minutes and scoring as many goals as possible.
"Alvarez's game is more tenacious, being great in and out of possession. I remember that quote Pep Guardiola used about Gabriel Jesus saying he was the best defensive striker. Alvarez reminds me of that quality and it's a great quality to have when your team is out of possession.
"He's also Argentine and Argentinians are quality players.
"We've seen in patches what he can do, so I know the more minutes he gets, the more he'll start to flourish, and Manchester City fans will see we've got a real diamond."
"I love what I've seen with him so far."
Indeed, Goater can see where Cassano has formed his opinion about City's new No19.
He also said: "He is probably a more all-round player because he can come short, get involved in play in linking with the midfield.
"He can play out wide as well as through the middle.
"This is the great thing with Pep Guardiola, he wants players who can play multiple positions.
"Haaland is probably very happy to play in the number 9 and nowhere else, whereas Alvarez is happy to play anywhere on the pitch in those forward areas.
"Haaland probably isn't interested in playing out wide, if he was asked to do a job, he'd probably do it but find himself in the box as much as possible."
