Thread by @_TheNearPost

Julian Alvarez- Striker, Space invader, and maximizing Haaland's gravity.

A thread.

Julian Alvarez is an incredible player.

- Ball-striking that's a difference maker.
- Ability to drop deep and add a +1 to build-up.
- Excellent associative play and exploitation of space.

He is a striker. A cold-blooded striker who will bury almost any chance that comes his way. But when Erling Haaland plays for the same club, it's hard to get minutes there.

It's also quite hard, benching a player of his quality, so the best solution? Using him in the pockets.

Alvarez does not possess the manipulation or security out wide, and his qualities mean he can excel in the interior zones if used *correctly*.

Many, including myself, have had issues with Alvarez's recent role, but this is down to two simple things:

- Being asked to drop *too* deep- how can you expect a final third influence to take touches deep, and immediately turn to dictate play?

- Not a pure midfielder.

Observe this lovely tweet from @4lex_mcfc. He isn't a ball-heavy player like Phil Foden, a player who constantly demands for the ball, someone who loves having the play go through him. The gestures pointing to the feet, the desire to roam wherever needed.

https://twitter.com/4lex_mcfc/status/1698578036986188280?t=TtHXxyQBC4axj9D4orm8NA&s=19

Please read @4lex_mcfc 's brilliant thread on his strengths and weaknesses.

https://twitter.com/4lex_mcfc/status/1698577840009015374?t=TtHXxyQBC4axj9D4orm8NA&s=19

Phil Foden loves the ball, Alvarez loves space. He is a space 'invader' or as many say, an 'investigator'. His influence largely lies in recognizing space and exploiting it by either releasing runners, or by making runs himself.

A Thomas Muller-type of player.

Thomas Muller loves roaming around the final third, but you will rarely see him drop deep in the first phase. Why? Because managers recognise his strengths and weaknesses.

Julian Alvarez must operate close to Haaland, allowed to wander where there is space, and wreak havoc with his intelligence.

Alvarez in the inside positions offers what Gundogan used to- a brilliant understanding of Haaland's runs and movement.

1) Exploiting Haaland's gravity

Here is my thread on 'Gravity' and how Haaland generates it. He commands respect with every movement he makes, every shot he takes. Naturally, he attracts opposition defenders like a magnet.

https://twitter.com/_TheNearPost/status/1661317493284274176?t=cUugv12VWIUcI7LBYgSGLg&s=19

This makes it harder for him to score, but opens up space for the others to exploit.

Gundogan and Mahrez used Haaland's gravity the best. Be it against a compact block or in transition, the two scored a lot of goals off Haaland's gravity.

Now that they're gone, it is Alvarez who can step up and utilise his strength of exploiting space. He has shown a knack for thriving off Haaland, forming a near 'Big-man, small-man' partnership, reminiscent of the old footballing times.

Against a compact mid-block, courtesy of Marco Silva, Alvarez makes a clever blindside run to score, but observe how naturally the centre-backs are gravitating towards Haaland. Creates an extra bit of space that gives Alvarez the chance to take a shot.

This one isn't just Haaland's gravity, as Alvarez also takes advantage of Foden's 'magnet-like' quality. Fixing himself b/w Schar and Botman, Foden drifts to the right, pulling Botman away from Alvarez, and Haaland's presence drags Schar away.
Alvarez knows this and takes a shot.

This is how Alvarez should be used. Providing simple touches in build-up, running into space left by Haaland's box threat.

Marked by Dakhil and Roberts (14&28), Haaland runs into the box, feints, drags #28 out of position, creating a lovely gap for Alvarez to score.

2) Understanding Haaland

Gravity aside, I believe Alvarez understands Haaland's runs. There's almost always a chance Alvarez assists Haaland with a through ball, purely because he understands Haaland's curved runs in behind. Let Alvarez face play, and he can provide this.

Or how about this assist against Fulham? One touch play, simple flick into the box, Thomas Muller like.

Overall, Alvarez is superb in the pockets. View him as a space-heavy player, rather than looking at him as someone who loves having the ball at his feet.

Let him have lesser touches in the deeper phases, give him simple build-up duty, let him interpret the space around zone 14.

He's such an intelligent player in recognising the gaps in the final third. He doesn't need to be the team's creator, but his superb movements off-ball, relentless pressing, and near-precise final third actions (shots, through balls, dribbles) have proven to be decisive in games.

Play him in the pockets when Haaland is up front, and let him influence games with his movement off the ball.

Almost Ramdeuter-like, a space marauder, an intelligent presence who can compliment the profiles of Foden and Haaland in different ways.

Thanks for reading, likes much appreciated!
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