Dani Alves – Next Summer Arrival?

This is a guest post from James McMath.

It was always believed that this would be a busy transfer window for Pep Guardiola. Even when he arrived last summer, the general consensus was that he would assess his squad over the first year and then make significant changes, if necessary, ahead of his second campaign in charge. And so it is proving to be the case.

Guardiola made a number of comments about various areas of his squad last year, from the profligacy of his strikers, to his love of midfielders and even the increasing ages of his fullbacks. To rectify those issues and other concerns, Bernardo Silva has arrived to add creativity to the midfield and Ederson has joined, most probably as first-choice goalkeeper. Now, it looks as if Dani Alves will be the third arrival.

Alves has just been released a year early from his contract at Juventus and the strong rumours are that he will once again be teaming up with Guardiola, following on from their years spent together at Barcelona. When you can see the qualities he will bring, it is clear to believe Alves will be a wonderful signing.

Critics will point to Alves’s age and question whether Guardiola is letting himself in for more of the same, but not only does the 34-year-old still possess the energy to bomb up and down the right flank and provide a serious attacking threat, he also brings with him a winning mentality that the City squad is often otherwise lacking.

Alves has won everything there is to win in the game. He has a powerful attitude and a strong character, and a desire to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity. That self-belief and will to win is what Guardiola is looking to instill in his other players. Alves fits the mentality of a winner and he will be a huge boost to the squad in that aspect, alongside his clear understanding of Guardiola’s objectives and on-pitch philosophy.

The rest of the squad will benefit from training and playing alongside Alves, and although he may not start every game, given his age and the likely arrival of Kyle Walker from Tottenham, Alves will no doubt prove to be a shrewd acquisition and a great example for the younger players around him.