What is really happening with Claudio Echeverri at Manchester City? | OneFootball

Manchester City are sticking to their plans of being patient when it comes to the development and integration of Claudio Echeverri into their first-team system.

The Argentina international arrived at the Etihad Stadium during the recent January transfer window with plenty of excitement around his name from both those in his home nation, and those awaiting his talents in Manchester.

Following a delayed arrival following the Under-20 South American Championships, Echeverri was integrated into Manchester City’s first-team set-up upon arrival and has become a familiar face for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering stars in recent weeks.

As the club continues to work towards integrating him into their competitive picture, the former River Plate starlet has also experienced matchday routines against Aston Villa at home and Southampton away, both in the Premier League.

However, the fact that Claudio Echeverri is yet to be formally named in a starting line-up or on the bench for City since arriving at the club has left some wondering what more the player needs to do in order to be considered, particularly given the ongoing struggles of the team.

According to a new report from MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Echeverri is being allowed the time and space to settle into his new surroundings after making the move from River Plate to the Etihad Stadium earlier this year.

It is reaffirmed that the club’s original plan was to look at the Argentina youth international during training across the remaining weeks of the ongoing season in order to then determine his next steps ahead of the forthcoming 2025/26 campaign.

Gaughan does however point out that similar had been mooted around Julian Alvarez when he joined from River Plate, before the FIFA World Cup winner with Argentina would go on to become an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s system.

The word from the training ground is that Echeverri has impressed in sessions, and that will only heighten the growing excitement around the talent that Manchester City have on their hands for the present and future.

Echeverri himself has spoken in recent weeks about his opening interactions with City boss Pep Guardiola, in which the Argentine playmaker said, “He told me that he was very happy that I’m here, he said that I can count on them for whatever I need.

“I thanked him for the opportunity and that’s it, that I’m always available.”

The young midfielder also revealed conversations he had with former Manchester City striker and fellow Argentina international Julian Alvarez, in which the now-Atletico Madrid star offered himself as a direct contact while Echeverri settles into life in European football.

“He told me this is a club that gives you everything to become a very good player, you have everything you need, all the people are really, very good and he wishes me the best and if I ever need anything, I can contact him. I’m very grateful,” Echeverri said of Alvarez.