As Manchester City gears up for the new Premier League season, there’s still potential for last-minute transfer moves before the window closes. Former City defender Micah Richards has weighed in on the potential impact of Julian Alvarez’s impending departure.
With Alvarez reportedly set to join Atletico Madrid for a hefty £82m, City will be losing a player who netted 11 goals in 36 league appearances last season. However, Richards is optimistic about the club’s ability to cope with this loss. He believes that Norwegian prodigy Oscar Bobb could be the perfect replacement.
“Ooh, it’s a tough one because Man City have so many exceptional players,” Richards told Capital XTRA Breakfast with Manny Norte. “When someone is out, another player steps in and performs admirably. Just look at Phil Foden last season; when Kevin De Bruyne was sidelined, Foden’s performances made it hard to drop him.”
Richards acknowledges that the transfer fee for Alvarez is substantial, surpassing what City originally paid for him. Despite his quality and the crucial goals he scored, Richards trusts Guardiola’s judgment. “Pep manages to offload top players and maintain his style of play. If he believes this is the right decision, I won’t question him. I’ve tried challenging Pep before, and he’s always proven me wrong!”
Regarding potential replacements, Richards is enthusiastic about Bobb, who impressed in pre-season and during the Community Shield victory over Manchester United. “Oscar Bobb is someone to watch. He’s been exceptional in pre-season, and I expect him to score more goals this season. He’s versatile, capable of playing as a number 10 or on either wing. Bobb’s set to make a significant impact!”
