Steve Nicol calls Pep Guardiola 'SO PRICKLY' 🗣️ Will Alvarez & De Bruyne stay at Man City? | ESPN FC

Frank Leboeuf, Mark Ogden and Steve Nicol join Dan Thomas on ESPN FC to discuss Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne's futures with Manchester City and react to Pep Guardiola's comments on both players.

[Photosoflife]

As frustrating and unprofessional as it can be to watch Dan constantly interrupt panelists, he’s spot on when it comes to Alvarez. The fact that Stevie does not appear to actually realize Alvarez is second fiddle to the likes of Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden, etc is head scratching. The reason why Alvarez played so many minutes last season is because De Bruyne was out for more than half the season and Haaland was out for two months. He’s a very good player but Pep prefers other players over him as first choice locked in starters. It makes complete logical sense that Alvarez would be interested in leaving for a club where he’s the full time starter up top. How Stevie doesn’t comprehend that is mind boggling.

[tenzukozzie]

Stevie being Stevie. Dan being Dan. I’m with Dan here though.

[BabsW]

Stevie is speaking like Álvarez is a youth player. He's 24 now.

[SNLS]

What is this? Stevie forgot to take his fish oil last night. He starts to argue about something and by the end of it he's talking about something else entirely.

[RTSlays]

Stevie makes no sense
He's won everything
He has the right to search for a team where he can start and be a main figure in the squad
He's too good to be a bench player

[DavidRegaL-lwxz]

The previous shows the panel concluded Alvarez doesn’t get game time, now they're admitting the fact that it's the opposite. Literally everything about City in the media is conspiracy theories 😂

[Gassaone]

This why you can’t have only great players in the team. He is not good enough to replace Halaand but he is too good to be on the bench. I’m Real Madrid fan Rodrygoes will behave the same issues next year.

[hachehache]

Guardiola always going against the players decisions, but when he don't want them anymore that's fine. Julian is one of the more respectful and humble players by far, and at the end of the day this is no more than a job, he shouldn't take it personal

[paritdoshi]

I am so happy with Dan going at Stevie!!! I am so with Dan on this!!!

[Nitsuga]

his minutes added up 38.6 games 19 goals 13 assists, lots of hustle

[biggdogg]

I agree with part of Steve's argument, in that he could/should wait a year and if KDB has another injury hit season, Alvarez could improve his situation, but I don't agree with playing players out of position

[mamadousy]

My prediction: KDB will stay Alvarez is leaving and City will be found guilty on 7 Charges out of 115

[peterzanetic]

Dan is completely right 😎 Steve is on something, he didnt even remember what he said 10 minutes ago !!! Julian has ever right
to play more and try his luck somewhere else. Dont want him to leave but he has the confidence and experience to ask to leave if he wants to.

[NomadJoe]

Give the guy a break. Alvarez just played the Copa America and is now playing in the Olympics. He’s not focused on club football right now.

[gigii]

I know there’s abundance of rags in the media but Ogden & Rob Dawson being the ITK’s on ESPN payroll, it’s just comically bad borderline unprofessional to watch the coverage related to city, Dan inserting narratives cause they have a quota of content time to meet, be better off discussing something else lol

[lukelocks]

Stevie dug a hole for himself here and just get digging deeper, with a grumpy shovel and a stubborn spade.
Dan was right.

[Fefotwo-pshd]

Going forward, Alvarez starts ahead of KDB. KDB is starting to show his decline... Just a fact. Start Alvarez or lose him. Pep may not be there long term, Alvarez has to think about his future after winning everything.

[bernardfox]

All these pundits (Mark Ogden in particular because he is a red)are desperate to get as many players away from City as they can. Very few actually leave. Bernardo Silva has been leaving for about five years and yet he is still there. City is a well run club that generally treats it's players well and pays them well. Stevie, Bernardo Silva is NOT old ! He is coming into his prime at 28.

[pheaseyy]

I mean stats wise and eye test tell you he probably should be starting all the big games, not when people are injured or for squad rotation. I don't blame Alvarez at all. Everyone who wants to win and be a factor in winning would not settle for his current situation. Hard to say if he will ever get that role within City though as Pep clearly fancy's others before him for whatever reasons.

[enioleyva]

I think the kid being by a world champion and all is showing pretty good attitude about being on the bench all these years