Player explains why teammate left 'tranquility' at Manchester City – Understands surprise summer transfer

09/19/2024 06:11 AM

Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul believes he can explain why Julian Alvarez made the surprising decision to leave Manchester City and join the Spanish side this summer.

The Argentine has been speaking to CNN Espanol, during which the subject of Alvarez's surprising transfer to the Wanda Metropolitano was brought up.

The striker made the move to the club earlier this summer, joining the Spanish side in a €75m deal that certainly caught most off guard.

He had appeared to be more than content with life at Manchester City following his €21.4m move from River Plate in July 2022, scoring 36 goals and registering 18 assists in 103 games despite playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland.

He won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Cityzens as well as establishing himself in the Argentina National Team, with whom he's now won the World Cup.

Few saw little reason for him to leave Manchester City as a result, but he instead surprised most by choosing to move to Spain with Diego Simeone's side.

That saw him uniting with an international teammate in De Paul, who believes he knows exactly why the striker wanted the move.

"We sent some messages, But I think it also speaks of Julián, of his personality and hunger, of his desire to challenge himself," he said.

"Because you think that Julián is a 23-year-old person who has won everything; the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the Copa América, the World Cup where he played, he won everything and he is not satisfied, right?

"I say that, it is wanting to push the limits, understanding that there is always a little more. So, this challenge that he takes on and that is not easy, because the expectations of Atlético Madrid, which is normal for a player of his quality, are very high.

"And he changed this by having found a place in Manchester of tranquillity and knowing that they have a great team. He wants, he always wants a little more.

"So, I think it speaks of who he is, his mentality, his hunger and well, we, at least I as a teammate in the national team, will try to help him achieve what he came looking for, which are titles."

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