He’s performing incredibly well” – Pep Guardiola says he’d ‘love’ to bring ex-Manchester City star back to the club

When Pep Guardiola speaks, the football world listens. And this time, his words carried emotion, nostalgia, and a touch of longing. The Manchester City manager, a man known for his tactical genius and cold precision, allowed himself to show a rare moment of sentiment. In a press conference that began as a routine discussion about the Premier League season, Guardiola surprised everyone when he admitted something fans never expected to hear: he would “love” to bring back former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez. The Argentine striker, now shining for Atletico Madrid, has become one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards under Diego Simeone — and Pep can’t help but miss him.

Sitting before the cameras with his usual calm expression, Guardiola spoke like a man reflecting on a piece of art he once owned but had to let go. “Julian is performing incredibly well,” Pep said, his voice carrying both pride and regret. “He’s at one of the best teams in the world, with a world-class coach and great teammates. I’d love to have him with me now… but I understand.” The words revealed more than admiration. They revealed how much Guardiola valued the player he once had, a player who had to leave because Manchester City’s attacking line was too crowded — a victim of his own ambition and Pep’s perfection.

Julian Alvarez joined Manchester City from River Plate in 2022, a signing that was meant to be part of the club’s long-term plan. At just 22, he was already a World Cup-winning striker with Argentina, full of fire and hunger. He came to England with dreams of conquering the Premier League, and in his first season, he did something that very few players ever will — he won the Treble. But success in Guardiola’s system often comes at a price. With Erling Haaland leading the attack and scoring goals at a superhuman rate, Alvarez found himself rotating, waiting for opportunities, and sometimes watching from the bench as his team broke records without him. He was too good to sit still, too ambitious to settle for cameos. And when Atletico Madrid came calling, he made the brave choice to move.

Guardiola understood. He always does. He may be demanding, but he respects players who want to play. “The Treble year, do you remember the players I left on the bench?” he reminded reporters with a small smile. “Aymeric Laporte, an incredible defender, Julian Alvarez, and others who I’d love to have now. But they wanted to play more and left.” There was no bitterness in his tone — just realism. Pep knows football moves fast, and he knows the price of greatness. To build a perfect machine, sometimes even the most precious parts have to go.

Now, at Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez has become the player he always dreamed of being — the main man, the leader, the difference-maker. Under Diego Simeone’s fiery coaching, the Argentine forward has found a balance between his natural creativity and relentless discipline. He runs, he presses, he scores, and he inspires. In just over a season with the Spanish club, Alvarez has already matched his Manchester City goal tally — 36 goals — and added 11 assists. The numbers are impressive, but it’s not just about statistics. It’s about presence. It’s about the way he commands the attack, the way defenders fear him, and the way Atletico fans chant his name with love and pride.

Guardiola follows his progress closely. He’s proud of his former player, even as he competes in another league. In some ways, Alvarez represents what Pep values most — intelligence, effort, and humility. Those qualities are the reason why, even after leaving, Alvarez remains one of Pep’s favourite pupils. “He had to compete with Erling, which was extraordinary for us,” Pep said. “But he wanted more minutes, more responsibility. And now, he’s performing incredibly well. I’d love to have him again.” The repetition of that line — “I’d love to have him” — sounded almost like a confession. It was the voice of a coach who misses a player not just for his talent, but for the personality and passion he brought into the dressing room.

The respect goes both ways. Earlier this season, Alvarez spoke about his time at Manchester City and his final conversation with Guardiola. His words painted a picture of mutual admiration and gratitude. “The last conversations I had with Pep were about thank you very much for everything you gave us in two years,” Alvarez said in an interview with Infobae. “There were so many titles. You never caused any problems, you didn’t bring any trouble to the club. You always gave your all. Not one complaint. They were always words of gratitude — from both sides.” It was a simple exchange, but it showed the strength of their relationship. No anger. No drama. Just respect between two professionals who understood each other perfectly.

For Manchester City fans, Guardiola’s comments reopened a soft spot. Many had loved Alvarez — not only for his goals but for his attitude. He was the kind of player fans adored because he played with honesty, hunger, and heart. He never complained about being second choice to Haaland. Instead, he worked harder, celebrated every goal like it was his first, and represented everything City’s modern success stands for. His departure hurt, even though everyone understood it was the right decision for his career. And now, as he thrives in Spain, fans can’t help but imagine how he might have fit into Pep’s current system — perhaps alongside Haaland, or in the creative role that City sometimes lack when Kevin De Bruyne is unavailable.

There’s an irony in Guardiola’s longing. City’s squad is still one of the strongest in the world, yet even he admits that something feels missing. The Treble-winning team had balance, chemistry, and depth that is hard to recreate. Players like Laporte and Alvarez weren’t just substitutes; they were symbols of City’s power. Losing them might have seemed small at the time, but football is about moments, and sometimes the players who quietly wait on the bench are the ones who make the biggest difference when called upon.

At Atletico, Alvarez’s transformation has been remarkable. Diego Simeone, known for his defensive style, has given him freedom to express himself. He’s not just a poacher; he’s a creator, linking up with teammates, dropping deep, and leading the press. The Argentine connection in Madrid — with Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, and Angel Correa — has made the transition easy. The fans adore him, and Simeone trusts him completely. He has become the heartbeat of Atletico’s attack, a mix of intensity and elegance that perfectly reflects the club’s spirit.

Meanwhile, Guardiola continues to build and rebuild. Every season brings change, and every player departure leaves a small hole in the tapestry of his masterpiece. When asked about Laporte and Alvarez, he didn’t hesitate to praise them both. “They’re incredible players. I’d love to have them now,” he said. “But football is like this. Players need to feel important, to play, to grow.” Those words reveal a truth Pep has learned over the years — that even the best system in the world cannot keep every player satisfied. At City, competition is fierce. Erling Haaland is immovable as the main striker. For someone like Alvarez, who dreams of leading the line, that reality was difficult to live with.

It’s also easy to forget how young Alvarez still is. At 25, he has already won a World Cup, a Copa America, and every major club trophy with Manchester City. Most players would be satisfied with such a list of achievements in an entire career, but not Julian. His hunger for more — more minutes, more goals, more responsibility — is what separates good players from great ones. And now, at Atletico, that hunger is feeding a new chapter. Guardiola’s praise only adds to his growing legend.

What makes this story even more intriguing is how close Alvarez came to returning to England — but not to Manchester City. In the summer, reports linked him with Chelsea and Liverpool, two clubs desperate for a reliable goal scorer. Barcelona and Bayern Munich also made inquiries, but Atletico refused to sell. Simeone made it clear that Alvarez was untouchable. “He’s the soul of our attack,” he said. “He makes everyone around him better.” Those words could easily have come from Guardiola himself.

For Manchester City supporters, it’s bittersweet to watch him thrive elsewhere. Every time Alvarez scores a stunning goal in La Liga, there’s a hint of pride mixed with longing. “He’s one of ours,” fans write online. “Once a Cityzen, always a Cityzen.” His time at the Etihad might have been short, but it was unforgettable. He lifted trophies, scored vital goals, and represented the blue shirt with passion. Guardiola’s admission that he misses him only confirms what fans already knew — that Julian Alvarez was special.

Behind Pep’s calm exterior, there’s always a deep thinker who values connection. His relationship with players often goes beyond tactics; it’s emotional. He forms bonds with those who share his philosophy, who play not just with skill but with intelligence and heart. Alvarez was one of those players. Even after leaving, he remains part of Guardiola’s football family. “I understand why he left,” Pep said. “But I’d love to have him again.” Those words might never turn into action, but they show the respect that endures between them.

And perhaps, in another world, their paths might cross again. Football is unpredictable. Players return. Managers reunite. The story isn’t over yet. For now, Julian Alvarez continues to light up Spain, while Pep Guardiola continues to chase perfection in England. But the bond between them — built on mutual respect, shared success, and unspoken admiration — remains strong.

In the end, this story is about more than transfers and tactics. It’s about human connection in a sport that often forgets its heart. It’s about a coach who sees beyond the pitch and recognizes the people behind the players. It’s about a young Argentine who dared to leave comfort to find greatness elsewhere — and succeeded. Guardiola’s longing to bring Alvarez back is not just about football; it’s about the beauty of what once was, and what could have been.

So when Pep said, “He’s performing incredibly well,” he wasn’t just praising a former player. He was remembering a time when that player wore his colors, scored his goals, and shared his dream. And when he added, “I’d love to have him with me,” it was more than a wish — it was an acknowledgment of how special Julian Alvarez truly is. Football moves on, players come and go, but some bonds, like the one between Guardiola and Alvarez, never fade. They linger in every match, every goal, and every quiet moment of reflection. And as Alvarez continues to shine in Madrid, Guardiola’s words will echo as a reminder that even in a world of trophies and triumphs, the heart of football still beats in stories like this one — stories of love, respect, and the players you never stop missing.